After the induction of the Rafale fighter jets into the Indian Air Force (IAF) which was seen as a major force multiplier, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is laying the groundwork to purchase 30 General Atomics MQ-9B Guardian drones from the United States, as reported India Today.
The cost of the 30 drones would be around $3 billion. An ‘acceptance of necessity’ (AON) for 30 drones is expected to be placed before the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC). To have such technology in the arsenal of Indian military will enhance its capability for surveillance of its borders, be that may the heights of the Himalayas or the vast space of our oceans and seas.
The MQ-9 is a long endurance high altitude drone with radar and electronic support to locate the enemy. It can stay on the air for 35 hours and can fly as high as 45,000 feet. The MQ-9 is the first hunter-killer UAV designed for long-endurance, high-altitude surveillance.
India plans to purchase six MQ-9 drones worth $600 million in an outright fashion. Two drones will be given to the Indian Army, Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force.
The Indian Navy which has one of the most difficult tasks of monitoring our coast lines, protect our economic zones and keep an eye on China’s increasing presence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) has been made the lead service for the acquisition.