As part of the USD 3.1 billion 31 MQ-9B Predator drone deal between India and the US
US To Provide Consultancy To India To Build MQ9B
As part of the USD 3.1 billion 31 MQ-9B Predator drone deal between India and the US, American side is proposing to provide consultancy to Indian entities for developing an indigenous advanced unmanned aerial vehicle. India and the US have been holding discussions for the drone deal for the last few years, under which the three services will get the 31 drones, with the Navy getting 15 birds and the Air Force and Army and Air Force getting eight each.
Sources said that the consultancy is expected to cut down the time taken for development of a highly advanced drone by a significant margin. The American offer to provide consultancy to Indian entities for developing an advanced Indian drone as part of the project is expected to be taken up for discussion and clearance at the Defence Acquisition Council meeting scheduled to be held on Monday.
The MQ-9B drones are planned to be deployed at four places, including INS Rajaji near Chennai and Porbandar in Gujarat, by the Indian Navy, while the other two services will keep them jointly at two bases in Sarsawa and Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh at Air Force bases due to long runway requirements. The American firm involved in the government-to-government deal is General Atomics, whose officials held discussions with Indian side in the last few weeks in this regard, the sources said.
Sarsawa and Gorakhpur as bases will help in boosting military surveillance capabilities all along the Line of Actual Control with China, from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh.
General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper
The General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper is an unmanned aerial vehicle capable of remotely controlled or autonomous flight operations, developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems primarily for the United States Air Force.
MQ-9B Drones
The MQ-9B drones are also known as “Predators“. They are High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) drones that can fly for over 40 hours using a satellite.
Out of the 31 MQ-9B Predator drones, of which the Navy will get 15 Sea Guardian drones, while the Army and the IAF will get eight each of the land version – Sky Guardian.
Engine type: Honeywell TPE331
Wingspan: 20 m
Top speed: 482 km/h
Manufacturer: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems
Range: 1,850 km
Length: 11 m
