TAG: GS-3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
THE CONTEXT: India and the US on October 15, 2024, signed a $3.5 billion deal to procure 31 MQ-9B armed High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) manufactured by General Atomics under an inter-governmental agreement.
EXPLANATION:
About the MQ-9B HALE UAV:
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- The MQ-9B drone is a version of the MQ-9 “Reaper” and has two models: Sky Guardian and Sea Guardian.
- It is built by the General Atomics.
Features of the MQ-9B Sea Guardian:
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- The MQ-9B has advanced features like automatic take-off and landing, a system to avoid other objects, secure GPS, and encrypted communications.
- It can stay in the air for up to 40 hours, perfect for long surveillance missions.
- The drone has a maximum operating altitude of 40,000 feet. A fuel capacity of 2,721 kg and a maximum carrying load of 5,670 kg.
- It can support land, maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, strikes, electronic warfare, and expeditionary missions. It can also take off and land automatically. It can safely integrate into civil airspace and enables joint forces and civil authorities to provide real-time situational awareness throughout the maritime domain, day or night.
- It can support land, maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, strikes, electronic warfare, and expeditionary missions. It can also take off and land automatically.
- It is also capable of automatic take-offs and landings.
- It can support land, maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, strikes, electronic warfare, and expeditionary missions. It can also take off and land automatically. It can safely integrate into civil airspace and enables joint forces and civil authorities to provide real-time situational awareness throughout the maritime domain, day or night.
- It can support land, maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, strikes, electronic warfare, and expeditionary missions. It can also take off and land automatically.
Deployment:
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- 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.
- 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.
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Processing of Purchase Details:
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- India is planning for 15 Sea Guardians for the Indian Navy and 16 Sky Guardians (eight each for the Indian Army and Air Force).
- The Indian Navy has leased two MQ-9As with the maiden flight taking place on November 21, 2020.
- As part of the deal, General Atomics will establish a Global Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in India, contributing to offset obligations.
Importance of this agreement for India:
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- The Sea Guardian model can help the Navy patrol large areas more economically than manned aircraft.
- For the Army and Air Force, these drones will help monitor movements along the borders, especially with China.
- It can offer 80% of a manned aircraft’s capabilities at 20% of the cost per hour.
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