MQ9 Predator Acquisition from U.S, News Updates and Discussions

[binayak95]

These are the ones that were leased I guess, first pictures in 3 years of service.

First official pictures at any rate

 

[RoaringTigerHiddenDragon]

First official pictures at any rate

Well…showing off someone else’s product has limited value. I hope Rustom and other drones get appr for use pretty soon.

 

[jai jaganath]

Well…showing off someone else’s product has limited value. I hope Rustom and other drones get appr for use pretty soon.

Rustom is dead mate and last crash was final nail on the coffin

 

[WolfPack86]

India Likely To Sign Deal With U.S. For 31 MQ-9B Drones By February 2024
Why in the news?

• This article discusses the deal between India and the U.S.A. for 31 MQ-9B Unmanned Aerial Vehicles which is expected to be concluded by February 2024.
• India had approached the U.S.A. to purchase the SkyGuardian and the SeaGuardian variants of the MQ-9B UAV developed by General Atomics.

India-U.S. deal for MQ-9B Drones

• India has expressed interest in acquiring 31 MQ-9B High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) drones from the U.S. manufacturer General Atomics.
• This would include 15 Sea Guardians for the Indian Navy and Eight Sky Guardians each for the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force.
• According to the Ministry of Defense, the deal is estimated to cost around $3,072 million.

Present status

• The agreement is expected to be concluded by February 2024.
• The Union Ministry of Defense issued the Letter of Request (LoR) to the U.S. in September 2023.

• The MQ-9B UAV is a variant of the MQ-9 "Reaper” which is designed for both remote-controlled and autonomous flight.
• It is a High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) drone with precision strike capabilities.
• Developer: General Atomics, USA
• Variants: SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian
• Features:
  • Maximum take-off capacity of 5,670 kg, and fuel capacity of 2,721 kg.
  • It can operate at altitudes over 40,000 feet.
  • Maximum flight time of 40 hours
  • Automatic take-off and landing capabilities
  • It can be integrated with civil airspace
  • Versatile roles encompass land and maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, precision strikes, electronic warfare, and expeditionary operations.
  • It can support land, maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, strike, electronic warfare, and expeditionary roles.

What is the process to acquire MQ-9B’s from the U.S.A?

• The agreement to purchase MQ-9B UAVs will be executed through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route of the U.S. government.
• Acceptance of Necessity: The first step in the acquisition process is the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) which was accorded to the agreement by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC).
• Letter of Request (LOR): The next step is sending a Letter of Request to the U.S. government.
  • This would include the tri-services requirements, the details of equipment, and the terms of the procurement.
• Letter of Offer and Acceptance: On the basis of the LOR, the U.S. government and the Ministry of Defense will finalize the Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA).
  • It will include details of equipment and the terms of the procurement, which will be negotiated and finalized based on the norms of the FMS program and the terms of the sale offered to other countries.

• Cabinet approval:Once the terms are finalized, the U.S. Government is required to notify the U.S. Congress of the sale.
  • Similarly, the deal must also be approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security of the Indian government after which the contract will be concluded.

Significance of the Agreement

• All weather capabilities: MQ-9Bs, depending on the configuration, can fly over the horizon via satellite for up to 40 hours in all weather conditions.
• Round-the-clock surveillance: The MQ-9Bs can be used for surveillance in border and beyond regions which will allow the armed forces to be better prepared for any hostile activity by unfriendly neighbors.
• Counterterrorism: It can be used to support counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations in Kashmir and other regions affected by militancy.
• Maritime security: The SeaGuardian variant includes a 360° surface-search maritime radar, automatic identification system, sonobuoy monitoring system, and sonobuoy dispenserswhich can be employed in anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare missions.
  • This will help improve monitoring and response to any security threats in the maritime theater.
• Integrability: The UAVs can be successfully integrated with other U.S.-origin platforms used by the Indian armed forces such as the P-8Is, AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, and MH-60R multi-role helicopters.
  • It can also be safely integrated into civil airspace which will enable coordinated efforts between military and civilian authorities for real-time situational awareness.
• Cost-effectiveness: The MQ-9B system can provide 80% of the capability of a large human-flown maritime patrol aircraft at 20% of its cost.
  • This means larger volumes of air or sea can be covered by the armed forces while lowering the time, cost, and wear and tear involved.
  • It significantly reduces the wear and tear of manned aircraft including the Indian Navy’s fleet of 12 P-8I long-range maritime patrol aircraft.
• Lowered fatigue: It also results in lowered crew fatigue among the personnel of the armed forces.

Advantages of the acquisition

• India’s acquisition of the drones will give it a strategic advantage over its adversaries.
  • The MQ-9B UAVs will enable India to conduct long-range surveillance and precision strikes without risking its manned aircraft or personnel.
• It will also boost India's defense cooperation with the U.S.A and strengthen the strategic partnership which is key for both countries in the Indo-Pacific region.
• The agreement is likely to lead to new opportunities for India's defense industry through technology transfer and joint production under the Make in India initiative.

Other deals between India and General Atomics

• General Atomics is in talks with several Indian companies for the domestic manufacture of components for the MQ-9B which could expand to potentially include the manufacture of electronics, sensors, and avionics.
• In February 2023, HAL and General Atomics announced that they are looking to develop a comprehensive engine maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) program for the HALE Remotely Piloted Aircraft project.
• The engines for the MQ-9B will be supported by the engine division of HAL for the foreign market.

https://prepp.in/news/e-492-india-likely-to-sign-deal-with-us-for-31-mq-9b-drones-by-february-2024-upsc-current-affairs

 

[Blademaster]

Rustom is dead mate and last crash was final nail on the coffin

No it’s not. Stop being such a blackpilled dick and making unsubstantiated claims.

 

[jai jaganath]

No it’s not. Stop being such a blackpilled dick and making unsubstantiated claims.

No issues mate
Time will definitely say who is a dickhead
Until then Jo bolna hai bolo

 

[WolfPack86]

US Blocks MQ9 Drone Sale to India

 

[pankaj nema]

 

[SilentlAssassin265]

It should be blocked/cancelled anyway
3 billion for drones that we can't use on internal enemies (without sanctions) are waste of time.
They would be useless against pork china air defences only practical use of combat drone we have is to take out naxals and johadis.

For surveillance we already have heron tp

 

[tomthounaojam]

Only KT and his The wire reported it

 

[Hari Sud]

If US is going to block MQ-9 deal under the Pannu pretext then India should go ahead and assassinate Pannu anyway. Whatever bad was going to happen has happened anyway hence why wait. He is a CIA asset, hence US likely to shed tears for him. Then remind them of assassination of high ranking officials and generals US has killed abroad.

 

[shade]

If US is going to block MQ-9 deal under the Pannu pretext then India should go ahead and assassinate Pannu anyway. Whatever bad was going to happen has happened anyway hence why wait. He is a CIA asset, hence US likely to shed tears for him. Then remind them of assassination of high ranking officials and generals US has killed abroad.

Nope, It would be good for us OTOH, we'd save money, the overpricing of the drones is basically because this deal is a "bribe" for Uncle Sam.
considering for important platforms we rely on Russi, Frenchie or Deshi gear shoved down the throats of uniformed afsars.

 

[Hari Sud]

Nope, It would be good for us OTOH, we'd save money, the overpricing of the drones is basically because this deal is a "bribe" for Uncle Sam.
considering for important platforms we rely on Russi, Frenchie or Deshi gear shoved down the throats of uniformed afsars.

I do agree it is overpriced…….

 

[tomthounaojam]

I do agree it is overpriced…….

like how Gulf Mullah pays billions and billions, guess that is how big boy collects money.

 

[SilentlAssassin265]

like how Gulf Mullah pays billions and billions, guess that is how big boy collects money.

They literally pay millions just to make their own website, they literally don't have any idea how things work

 

[DingDong]

I do agree it is overpriced…….

One of the goals behind such acquisitions is to get our operators familiarized with the technologies and the processes. Let us just say that we are paying a premium to add a new skill set to our resume which will be good in the long term.

 

[Aniruddha Mulay]

I do agree it is overpriced…….

Let's wait for the DSCA release before jumping the gun

 

[Aniruddha Mulay]

 

[jai jaganath]

4 billion dollars

 

[pankaj nema]