Unmanned Aerial Vehicles are indispensable in today's conflict scenarios. Their successful operations in Afghanistan and the North West Frontier Province led the IAF to stand up and take notice their importance.

The IAF currently uses Israel Aircraft Industries-built Searcher II and Heron UAVs.

Lakshya, the pilot-less target aircraft indigenously developed by HAL, was inducted into the IAF a few years ago. Another UAV, the Nishant Remote Piloted Vehicle has also been developed.

An advantage of the Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles is that they can loiter around on routine patrols. Once their cameras or sensors detect an already programmed threat, or if they are directed towards a perceived threat, they can immediately engage it and neutralise it.