Heron UAV Fleet Upgrade: The Indian Army has started the process to repair two Heron remotely piloted aircraft systems that were damaged in accidents. An RFP, or Request for Proposal, has been issued for the work. The main aim is to make both drones operational again instead of leaving the damaged aircraft out of service.
The latest repair effort comes as the Army continues to maintain its Heron fleet. Earlier in January 2026, the Army had also issued a separate RFP for repairing three other accident-damaged Heron RPAS.
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What Will Happen to the Damaged Heron Drones?
The two aircraft have suffered damage to important parts of their structure. One of the drones has damage involving its central wing, flaps, outer wing sections and ailerons. The repair work will include structural restoration followed by ground testing and a functional check flight.
The second aircraft has damage to its fuselage, wings, engine cowling and other structural sections. The work on such areas needs specialist technical support because these parts are important for the safe operation of the aircraft. The reported repair plan involves Israel Aerospace Industries’ MALAT division along with its Indian partner Elcom, which has experience in maintenance and repair of IAI’s unmanned systems.
The repair process is not limited to fixing visible damage. Important aircraft systems and mission equipment also need to be checked and restored. After the repairs are completed, the drones will have to pass detailed inspections and functional tests before they can return to regular duties.
Heron Drones are Important for Army Surveillance
The Heron is an Israeli-origin unmanned aircraft that has been used by India’s armed forces for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions for many years. India has operated the Heron family since the early 2000s.
For the Army keeping these aircraft available is important because drones can provide surveillance without putting a crew inside the aircraft. They can support monitoring and reconnaissance missions across difficult terrain and help provide information needed for military operations.
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Repairs Instead Of Replacing The Aircraft
The decision to repair the damaged Herons allows the Army to make use of aircraft it already owns. Bringing them back into service can also avoid the longer process of getting completely new platforms for the same role.
The Army has also been increasing its focus on maintenance and repair work for unmanned systems. Earlier procurement efforts have included depot-level maintenance of Heron Mk II RPAS and other repair contracts for Army UAVs.
Before the two repaired Herons can be cleared for operations, they will need to complete ground checks and flight testing. These checks are important for confirming that the aircraft, its systems and its performance are safe and ready for missions. Only after successful testing can the drones return to active service.
