March 06, 2013: The Home Ministry is expected shortly to float a requirement for surveillance UAVs specifically for anti-Naxal operations. While a requirement already exists, sources indicate that a fresh qualitative requirement is to be drawn up in consultation with the MoD on UAVs that can be configured and customized specifically for surveillance operations in densely forested areas typical of central India, including Chattisgarh, Jharkhand and Orissa.

The CRPF has for long been in a tussle of resources with the NTRO, the agency designated to provide unmanned airborne surveillance support, which has proved invaluable during certain operations in the last few years. However, a failure to coordinate resources in a more efficient manner has sparked a thought process within the Ministry of Home Affairs that the forces deployed in operations should perhaps have their own UAV assets with full command and control. A decision is likely to be taken on the requirement by June this year.