Reports suggest that the IN is now considering the short-term wet-lease of 12-18 Light Utility to augment its transport capability and additionally use them for surveillance.
To augment its surveillance capabilities, both at sea and along its coastal regions, the Indian Navy (IN) has recently leased two non-weaponised General Atomics Aeronautical Systems In MQ-9 Sea Guardian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from the US for one year. Inducted at the naval base INS Rajali on November 21, these twin medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAVs can remain airborne for over 35 hours and attain a maximum flying altitude of some 35,000 feet. While maintenance and other technical support for will be provided by General Atomics, the IN will have full control over their operational deployment and the information gathered by them. Read More…
