Jane's Information Group is reporting that India is planning to significantly upgrade its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capability over the next decade in order to enhance situational awareness along its land and maritime borders. Official sources said the army was planning to procure a large number of manportable mini- and nano-UAVs with short-range intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance ,and laser-designation capabilities, as well as the ability to detect nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons inside enemy territory. The army also intends to acquire weaponised UAVs similar to the General Atomics RQ-1 Predator (pictured), which can be armed with Hellfire missiles. The RQ-1A also offers a crucial Ku-band satellite datalink for over-the-horizon mission capabilities. These will be deployed largely along the disputed borders with Pakistan and China. At present, India operates around 70 Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI)-built Searcher Mk 1, Mk 2 and Heron UAVs, as well as 30 Harpy ground attack drones designed to detect and destroy enemy radars.