Recently, the Ministry of Defence in India has given the green light for the procurement of 31 MQ-9B armed drones from the United States. This deal, which is valued at just over $3 billion, is slated to be announced during a state visit to Washington by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The purpose of this acquisition is to improve India’s surveillance capabilities and fortify its military strength.
Understanding the MQ-9B Armed Drones
The MQ-9B drone, a variant of the MQ-9 “Reaper,” was used to deploy a modified version of the Hellfire missile that resulted in the elimination of al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in Kabul. The MQ-9B comes in two models: the SkyGuardian and the SeaGuardian. Since 2020, the Indian Navy has been utilizing the MQ-9B Sea Guardian. The drone can function at an altitude of more than 40,000 feet, providing the Indian military with the capacity to conduct high-altitude Himalayan border area surveillance.
The Predator drone has a maximum endurance of 40 hours, making it particularly useful for extended periods of surveillance. The MQ-9B drones are outfitted with state-of-the-art features such as automatic take-off and landing, detection and avoidance systems, anti-spoofing GPS, and secure communication links.
India’s Need for MQ-9B Armed Drones
India requires MQ-9B armed drones to enhance its surveillance and strike potential across both its terrestrial and maritime borders. This requirement is particularly pertinent in light of the ongoing tensions with China in Ladakh, and the escalating conflict with Pakistan. As the presence of Chinese submarines and warships in the Indian Ocean Region increases, the MQ-9B armed drones are needed to safeguard essential communication and trade sea lanes.
Additionally, the MQ-9B armed drones will support counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations in regions such as Kashmir.
The Benefits of Acquiring MQ-9B Armed Drones for India
Securing the MQ-9B armed drones gives India a strategic advantage over its adversaries. This is because it can carry out long-range surveillance and precision strikes without putting manned aircraft or pilots at risk. The acquisition will also strengthen India’s defense cooperation with the US, which has become a key partner in the Indo-Pacific region.
This deal will further reinforce India’s role in the Quad grouping of democracies, which includes the US, Japan, and Australia. In addition to these benefits, acquiring the MQ-9B armed drones will create opportunities for India’s defense industry. The deal will involve technology transfer and joint production under the Make in India initiative.