The Indian Defence Ministry has floated global RFIs (requests for information) for six to eight new medium-range maritime reconnaissance (MRMR) planes and additional spy drones for the Indian Navy.

The MRMR aircraft operate with a range of 350nm, and the high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial vehicles have a service ceiling of 40,000ft and endurance of 25hr.

The radar-packed MRMR planes will be equipped with anti-ship and submarine warfare capabilities in the shape of deadly missiles, according to the Times of India.

The aircraft as well as the UAVs will form part of navy’s plan for a three-tier aerial surveillance grid in the Indian Ocean region (IOR).

The navy is also set to receive its first dedicated military communication and surveillance satellite, with a 1,000nm footprint over IOR.