The Kargil conflict of 1999 revealed India’s surveillance weaknesses in the operational zone. Enemy positions were slow to be identified. In a creative move, a young IAF pilot used a MiG-21 and a Handycam to film enemy locations, leading to precise targeting. Now, 25 years later, India has taken two significant steps to boost surveillance and national security: approving Predator Drone purchases from the US and the Space Based Surveillance III project. These decisions will strengthen strategic surveillance and send a strong regional signal. The CCS has approved the acquisition of 31 MQ-9B armed UCAVs for all three services under the Foreign Military.
