Government may use drones to track Maoists

The Union Home Ministry is considering a proposal to buy unmanned aerial vehicles or UAVs, also known as "spy drones", developed by EADS, Europe’s aviation giant, primarily to track Maoists, reports Manish Tiwari.

The Union Home Ministry is considering a proposal to buy unmanned aerial vehicles(UAVs) developed by EADS, Europe’s aviation giant, primarily to track Maoists..

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“We’ll take a decision only after considering all aspects,” said a top government official.

The UAVs, also known as “spy drones”, can be launched with slingshot or hand toss and can be controlled in the field using a computer. Some UAVs can operate at just five per cent of the cost of manned fighter jets. Some are capable of firing missiles and dropping bombs.

These spy drones can discreetly collect intelligence using video, radar and other sensors and interce-pt mobile and radio communications. It can also keep an eye on the movements of insurgents.