India’s military strategy will transform with the approval of31 high-end Predator armed drones
The US State Department’s approval for selling 31 MQ-9B armed drones to India marks a significant advancement in bolstering the country’s defence capabilities. These drones, featuring advanced technology, are specifically crafted for high-altitude and long-endurance missions, armed with Hellfire missiles and smart bombs. This decision aligns with India’s ongoing modernisation initiatives and promises a substantial enhancement in its unmanned surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. With a value of $3.99 billion, this deal underscores the strategic partnership between the United States and India and will bolster India’s capability to meet current and future threats by fortifying India’s security apparatus.
Infused with cutting-edge technology, these remotely piloted aircraft systems are poised to be a game-changer for India’s military strategy. Describing its collaboration with India as one of the most consequential ones, the United States emphasises that the potential sale of 31 armed drones to New Delhi will be pivotal in strengthening its maritime security.
As part of the agreement, India is set to receive 31 High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) UAVs. The Navy will acquire 15 SeaGuardian drones, while the Army and the Indian Air Force will each receive eight of the land version, known as SkyGuardian. This deal grants India full ownership and a sixteen-fold increase in the number of aircraft, a substantial increase from their current lease of two MQ-9A aircraft. The reports indicated 11 Predatorswould be bought off the shelf and the rest assembled domestically. The reports say the government is looking at 15-20 per cent technology transfer, including engines, radar processor units, avionics, sensors and software.
Hailed as the world’s most advanced military drone, the MQ-9B is poised to reshape India’s strategic capabilities with its unmatched features.
Key Features and Capabilities
The MQ-9B Sea Guardian Predators, referred to as the “Most Dangerous Military Drone on the Planet,” showcases cutting-edge technology. Boasting an impressive 40-hour flight time at altitudes surpassing 40,000 feet and equipped with Hellfire air-to-ground missiles and smart bombs, this drone, comparable in size to a fighter jet, is specifically designed for over-the-horizon ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) missions. It can carry four Hellfire missiles and 450 kg of other ordnance. These all-weather drones, which can operate day and night, come in two variants – Sky Guardian and Sea Guardian, one meant for land and the other customised for the maritime domains. India wants a mix of both. The Indian Navy took two Sea Guardians on lease nearly four years ago and was so satisfied with their performance that the lease period was extended. The UAVs can carry payloads in excess of 5000 kilograms. These drones, which are controlled from the ground, can play a crucial role in anti-submarine warfare, electronic welfare, and expeditions. They also have strike capabilities.
Strategic Significance
These sophisticated UAVs can boost India’s surveillance systems along the Indian Ocean and its land borders with China and Pakistan. They can also keep a tab on the activities of Chinese vessels that claim to do marine research but also double up as spy ships. These armed UAVs will significantly enhance India’s ability to conduct unmanned surveillance and reconnaissance patrols, particularly in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and along its land borders with China and Pakistan.
The United States sees India as a vital counterbalance to China and an essential participant in managing tensions in the Gulf region. Economic factors, particularly related to General Atomics, the California-based company, play a crucial role. The economic advantages for California’s congressional delegation highlight the importance of the agreement.
Despite initial indications of opposition from some lawmakers, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) swiftly issued the necessary certification to Congress. The significance of regular consultations with members of Congress was underscored, emphasising the broader geopolitical objectives that underpin the strategic relationship between the United States and India.
Timeline for Finalizing the Deal
After informing Congress, the Biden administration plans to deliver the Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) to India within a month. After this, the final cost negotiations will take place, leading to the official contract signing, pending approval from the Indian Cabinet Committee on Security.
In response to a question on the next steps in the mega drone deal and its importance, State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said on 1st February, “I cannot give you a timeline. This was the initial step today, notifying Congress. The exact timeline of the delivery is something that we will explore with the Government of India over the coming months.”
The Chief Executive of General Atomics, Vivek Lall, has played a crucial role in sealing the deal and leading the negotiations, whose influential efforts have bolstered defence trade and cooperation between India and the United States in securing the agreement to provide these advanced UAVs to India. General Atomics will assemble these drones in India over the next six to seven years. As the agreement advances, it establishes the MQ-9B as a vital asset in safeguarding India’s security interests.
Ravi Shankar
