India's defence ministry is accelerating the selection process to acquire two types of micro and mini unmanned air systems (UAS) for use by its army's northern command along the nation's border with Pakistan.

Twenty systems of each type will be purchased under an urgent operational requirement deal, according to industry sources, who expect the project's scope to be expanded once the selected equipment in is service.

Multiple UAS manufacturers are believed to be offering their systems for the contest, including several based in Israel.

Sources have confirmed that BlueBird has teamed with India's Dynamatic Technologies and Elbit Systems with local aerospace firm Hindustan Aeronautics. Other Israeli companies in the mix include Aeronautics Defense Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries, the sources said.

Source: Flight International