India's Current & Future UAVs & UCAVs

WolfPack86

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Now, a made-in-India drone to monitor Chinese aggression along the LAC
On the backdrop of the recent standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the Indian Army has been provided special made-in-India drone by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), named Bharat, has been developed by Chandigarh-based laboratory of the DRDO.

Touted by the developers to be one of the 'world's most agile and lightest surveillance drones', the UAV has been developed fully indigenously by the DRDO. According to DRDO sources cited by news agency ANI, the "small yet powerful drone works autonomously at any location with great accuracy. The unibody biomimetic design with advance release technology is a lethal combination for surveillance missions".

Interestingly, the drone is equipped with artificial intelligence to detect friends and foes and then respond accordingly. Capable of surviving in extreme cold, the surveillance equipment has been developed keeping in mind extreme weather conditions along the LAC.


With transgression by the Chinese troops along the LAC as the major challenge, the drone also provides real-time video transmission during the mission and can even detect humans hidden under deep forest covers. The drone has also been equipped with night vision capabilities and its stealthy design ensures that its signature remains undetected from enemy radars.

"The Indian Army requires drones for accurate surveillance in the ongoing dispute in the Eastern Ladakh area. For this requirement, the DRDO has provided the Bharat drones to it," a defence source was quoted as saying in the agency report.


Recently, MoD also enhanced financial powers of military generals

The acquisition of the drone may be viewed on the backdrop of the recent standoff between Indian and Chinese armies along the LAC. The impasse which began in May was resolved only weeks ago after a series of meetings between military commanders and diplomats of the two countries. PM Narendra Modi also visited the areas along the LAC to boost the morale of the troops posted along the frontiers.

In view of the Chinese aggression along the LAC, most recently, the defence ministry enhanced the financial powers of military generals to ensure the quicker acquisition of critical military hardware.
 

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India, US negotiating UAV co-development programme: Pentagon official
The US and India are negotiating a co-development programme for the air-launched unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a top Pentagon official has said.

Addressing the India Ideas Summit organised by the US-India Business Council on Tuesday, the top Pentagon official said that the US Air Force research labs have signed a cooperative research and development agreement with an Indian startup to support the development of the air-launched UAV.

"I would like to highlight a very exciting project we are currently negotiating- air-launched unmanned aerial vehicle or UAV will be a co-development programme between the US Air Force Research Labs, the Indian Air Force, India's Defense Research and Development Organisation, and an Indian startup company," said Ellen M Lord, under secretary of defence for acquisition and sustainment.

The Pentagon's point person for the ambitious US-India Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI), Lord said that they were planning to hold the next DTTI group meeting in the week of September 14 and the second meeting of the DTTI industrial collaboration forum the week before.

Often described as the Pentagon's chief weapons buyer, Lord said that the US-India defence cooperation has made great strides in the last few years.

This cooperation has led to closer relationships between the two governments and also increased stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Noting that US defence sales to India have grown exponentially over the last 10 years, she said the US is striving to become India's first choice in defence solutions.

The last year has seen many firsts in DTTI, she said, adding that the first project agreement for co-development is in negotiation.

The first industrial cooperation forum was held, she said. She also announced the release of the industrial guidance for the participation with DTTI.

“The industrial cooperation is a key focus area for the future of defence collaboration and we think that this industry guidance will increase industrial collaboration within the DDTI framework," she said.

"The United States welcomes any partnership that enhances US national security objectives, decreases defence procurement costs and leads to greater supply chain stability,” Lord said.

Noting that the US government reviewed and commented on India's defence procurement procedure or DPP, Lord said they were encouraged to see the procedures for loans and leases added.

“The United States is aware that many countries, including India, use offset in defence sales. The US government will not take part in any negotiation concerning offsets between the industry and a foreign government.

"We encourage all governments to ensure that offset processes are transparent and applied equally to all competitors,” Lord said.
 

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India set to acquire 6 more Poseidons from US; fast-tracking procurement of six Predator-B armed drones
New Delhi: Amid border tensions with China, India is set to acquire six more Boeing Poseidon-8I aircraft from the United States worth USD I.8 billion.


India has also fast-tracked procurement of six Predator-B armed drones. India is already using the P-8I naval patrol planes for conducting surveillance missions over the Indian Ocean as well as eastern Ladakh.


Armed with radars and electro-optic sensors as well as Harpoon Block-II missiles and MK-54 lightweight torpedoes, the Indian Navy inducted eight P-8I aircraft under USD 2.1 billion deal inked in January 2009. The next four aircraft will be delivered starting December this year under another USD 1.1 billion deal with the US signed in July 2016.

P-8I aircraft will have COMCASA-protected equipment

According to a report by TOI, India has issued "letter of request" for six more P-8Is for around USD 1.8 billion to the US under a government-to-government deal.


Now, the US will soon send the letter of acceptance once it gets approval from the US Congress after which the contract will likely be signed next year.


The report further states that the six new P-8I aircraft will have COMCASA-protected equipment, which is considerably more advanced and secure compared to the ones commercially available.

Sea Guardian drones can conduct surveillance, destroy targets

The General Atomics' Sea Guardian drone will be equipped with advanced Global Positioning System (GPS), identification Friend or Foe (IFF) receiver and VHF system, which are resistant to jamming and spoofing from enemies.


India had used the P-8Is during the Doklam standoff between Indian Army and Chinese People’s Liberation Army while the Navy had deployed the P-8I to keep an eye on the Pakistani Army after Pulwama terror attack.


The P-8I can conduct anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and anti-surface warfare (ASUW) while the Sea Guardian drones apart from conducting surveillance and reconnaissance can also locate and destroy the target with missiles or laser-guided bombs.
 

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India to buy Reaper drones, anti-submarine P-8I aircraft from US; build attack drone jointly. India-US held joint naval drills near #MalaccaStrait; US slammed China for Galwan deceit. Unprecedented #IndiaUS ties takes China by surprise & forces it a step back in #Ladakh
 

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US eases export restrictions on unmanned drones, New Delhi to benefit

President Donald Trump’s order on updated export restrictions on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), with the new speed limit of 800 kmph, will not only help its allies in the Middle-East facing the brunt of Chinese armed drones in Libyan theatre but will also help India acquire proven Predator-B armed and Global Hawk surveillance drones from the US. Both the top of line drones have speeds less than 800 kmph.

A statement issued by White House said, “The President has decided to invoke our national discretion to treat a carefully selected subset of missile technology control regime category I unmanned aerial systems (UAS), which cannot travel faster than 800 kmph as category II… This will increase our national security by improving the capabilities of our partners and increase our economic security by opening the expanding UAV market.” This policy change means that the UAVs under 800 kmph will no longer be subjected to the “strong presumption of denial” of the MTCR”.

While the US defence contractors were restricted by the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) UAS clause, the Chinese have been supplying Wing Loong armed drones to Pakistan and for use in the Yemen and Libyan civil war. According to intelligence reports, China has already supplied four Wing Loong armed drones to Pakistan for protection of the CPEC and Gwadar port. The drone, which has a limited track record, carries more than 1,000 kilograms of bombs or air-to-surface missiles. Neither China nor Pakistan are members of the MTCR, hence there is no restriction on Beijing to export these systems to Islamabad.

It is the introduction of Wing Loong into the Indian sub-continent which has prompted India to relook the acquisition of Predator-B drone, proven in Afghan and Iraq theatre, for the Indian military. The Predator-B is the armed version of Guardian drone, twenty-two of which have been approved for sale to India by the Trump administration. Predator B can carry four Hell-fire missiles and two 500-pound laser-guided bombs.


By tweaking the MTCR rules for UAS, President Trump has opened doors for India to acquire the armed drones as well as systems to counter them. The armed drones will also be available to US allies like Saudi Arabia, UAE and Egypt who have acquired the Chinese armed drones.

As the cost of a Predator-B drone is no less than a fighter aircraft, the Indian Air Force may have to reduce its limit of manned fighters to create squadrons of armed drones within the present Cabinet sanction of 42 squadrons.
 

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US Looking To Ramp Up Arms Sales Including Armed & Heavy-Lift Drones To India: Report
WASHINGTON: The US is looking to ramp up arms sales to India, including those of armed drones that can carry over 1,000 pounds of bombs and missiles, said a media report, noting the "new push" comes following the violent clashes in June between Indian and Chinese troops in Ladakh.




Twenty Indian army personnel were killed during the clashes with Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh's Galwan Valley on June 15. The Chinese side also suffered casualties in the clashes but it is yet to give out details.



The number of casualties on the Chinese side was 35, according to a US intelligence report.



"The Trump administration is looking to ramp up arms sales to India in the wake of the country's deadly border clashes with China, opening a new front of tensions between Washington and Beijing," the Foreign Policy magazine reported based on interviews with US officials and Congressional aides.



Quoting the officials, the magazine said the US in recent months has laid the groundwork for new arms sales to India that "go above and beyond what previous administrations considered, including longer-term weapon systems with higher levels of technology and sophistication, such as armed drones".



President Donald Trump has officially amended rules that restrict the sale of military-grade drones to foreign partners like India, it said, adding that prominent among them being the recent announcement by the Trump administration changing its interpretation of the Missile Technology Control Regime.



This will allow the US to consider the sale of armed drones, which had previously been restricted because of their speeds and payloads, to allow them to be considered alongside surveillance drones, the news report said.

"They are going to want to provide India with armed [category-1] Predators," a Congressional aide familiar with the matter told Foreign Policy, while referring to MQ-1 Predator drones that can carry more than 1,000 pounds of bombs and missiles.



The aide, according to the magazine, said the State and Defence Departments had been pushing for a transaction.



"Part of the calculation behind the policy change was to free themselves up from the international and multilateral constraints so they could increase the sales pitch to India on [drones]," the aide told the magazine.



Simultaneously, a legislative move has been made to bring India at par with North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies when it comes to sale of arms by the US, it reported.



Friends of India in the Congress hope that their efforts go through the National Defence Authorization Act this year. One of them being by senators John Cornyn and Mark Warner, who are co-chairs of the Senate India Caucus, according to Foreign Policy.



US' defence sales to India has jumped from near zero in 2008 to over $20 billion this year. Some of the recent and significant prior defence sales are to include the MH-60R Seahawk helicopters ($2.8 billion), the Apache helicopters ($796 million), and the Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasure ($189 million).



India was the first non-treaty partner to be offered a Missile Technology Control Regime Category-1 Unmanned Aerial System – the Sea Guardian UAS manufactured by General Atomics.

The US is advocating for the Lockheed Martin's F-21 and Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornet and F-15EX Eagle as part of India's future fighter aircraft acquisitions.



The potential selection of any of these platforms would enhance India's military capabilities, increase US-India military interoperability, and protect shared security interests in the Indo-Pacific region.



Since 2015, the US also authorised India over $3 billion in defence articles via the Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) processes, which licenses the export of the defence equipment, services, and related manufacturing technologies controlled under the 21 categories of the US Munitions List (USML).



The top DCS categories to India during this period were military electronics (USML category XI); fire control, laser, imaging, and guidance equipment (category XII); and aircraft and related articles, it stated.



In 2016, the US designated India as a Major Defence Partner.



Commensurating with this designation, in 2018, India was elevated to Strategic Trade Authorization Tier 1 status, which allows it to receive licence-free access to a wide range of military and dual-use technologies regulated by the Department of Commerce, a top Pentagon official had earlier said.
 

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Indian defence forces to arm 100 Heron drones with missiles for offensive operations
In a bid to boost their fire power in the middle of ongoing operations against China, the defence forces have proposed to equip around 100 Heron drones with missiles to tackle out enemy positions.

In a bid to boost their fire power in the middle of ongoing operations against China, the defence forces have proposed to equip around 100 Heron drones with missiles to tackle out enemy positions.

"A proposal to equip around 100 Heron drones would be taken up by the defence ministry for approval as they want to strengthen their strike and reconnaissance capabilities using the unmanned systems," Defence sources told India Today TV.

The proposal would see the drones getting equipped with laser guided bombs, long-range air to ground missiles and anti tank guided missiles, the sources said.

The proposal has been pending for many years now and is being revived by the services in view of the developing hostile environment around the country.
In the ongoing situation, India is also going to place more orders for the Heron surveillance drones.
India is planning to enhance its surveillance capabilities and firepower by placing orders for Heron surveillance drones and Spike anti-tank guided missiles from Israel under the emergency financial powers granted by the government.

The Heron unmanned aerial vehicles are already in the Air Force, Navy, and the Army and are being used extensively at the moment by both Army surveillance and Target acquisition batteries and Air Force in the Ladakh sector.
 

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Amid tensions with China, armed forces push case for arming Israeli drone fleet with laser-guided bombs, missiles
Amid border tension with China, the armed forces are pushing a case for arming their Heron UAVs with laser-guided bombs, precision-guided munitions and anti-tank missiles for taking out enemy positions and armoured regiments.

The proposal named Project Cheetah has been revived by the armed forces after being pending for a long time and is expected to cost over Rs 3,500 crores to the government.

"Under this project, around 90 Heron drones of the three services would be upgraded to be armed with laser-guided bombs, air to ground and air-launched anti-tank guided missiles," government sources told ANI.


The case is going to be considered by a high-level Defence Ministry body including Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar, who is now the in-charge of all capital procurements for the three services.

In the proposal, the armed forces have proposed to equip the drones with stronger surveillance and reconnaissance payloads for keeping an eye on enemy locations and stations and take them out, if required.

The Indian fleet of medium altitude long endurance drones also known as unmanned aerial vehicles includes mainly Israeli equipment including the Herons.

They have been deployed by both the Army and Air Force in the forward locations of Ladakh sector along the China border there. The drones are also helping in verifying the disengagement by Chinese as well as knowing their troop build up strength in-depth areas.

The project on upgrading the drones for carrying out offensive operations against the enemies would involve a number of Indian-developed solutions too.

The upgraded UAVs can be used against conventional military operations as well as in counter-terrorism operations in future, if required, sources said.

With the upgrade in reconnaissance capabilities, the forces on the ground would also be able to get pin-point intelligence about hideouts in areas where men have to be involved in operations.

The upgrades would also enable the Armed forces' ground station handlers to operate these aircraft from far-off distances and control them through the satellite communication system.
 

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