Everything you Need to Know About MQ-9B Drones

Credit - The Hindu

India USA Deal on MQ-9B drones – Know Everything about MQ-9B drones

 

Main Point of Focus

U.S President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed India’s plans to procure General Atomics MQ-9B High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) Unmanned Aerial vehicles (UAV).

This sets the stage for the acquisition of 31 of these armed UAVs, 15 SeaGuardians for the Indian Navy and 16 SkyGuardians — eight each for the Indian Army and Air Force.

 

The Deal (Simplified)

1. MQ-9Bs will be assembled in India to enhance India's armed forces' Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance capabilities.
2. General Atomics will establish a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul facility in India to support indigenous defense goals.
3. The procurement process has started with the Defense Acquisition Council chaired by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh.
4. Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) was given on June 15, the first step in the process.
5. The deal will be executed through the U.S. government's Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route.
6. The deal is expected to take a few months to be concluded.
7. The estimated cost provided by the U.S. government is $3,072 million.
8. The price will be negotiated once policy approval is received from the U.S. government.
9. The Ministry of Defense (MoD) will compare the acquisition cost with the best price offered by General Atomics to other countries.
10. The procurement process is in progress and will follow the laid-down procedure.
11. India is negotiating to increase the indigenous content of the deal from the proposed 8-9% to 15-20%.
12. General Atomics and the U.S. government need to accept the increase in indigenous content.
13. General Atomics is in talks with Indian companies for domestic manufacture of components.
14. The deal could potentially include the manufacture of electronics, sensors, and avionics.
15. The FMS route involves sending a Letter of Request (LOR) to the U.S. government with equipment details and procurement terms.
16. The U.S. government and the MoD will finalize the Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) based on the LOR.
17. The U.S. Congress will be notified of the sale, which is expected to be a formality.
18. The deal needs to be approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security.
19. After approval, the contract will be concluded.
20. The detailed process ensures negotiation, finalization, and completion of the deal.

 

 

Enhanced Capabilities and Cost Efficiency of MQ-9B Variants for Indian Navy, Army, and Air Force

• MQ-9B comes in two variants: SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian, designed for different purposes.
• MQ-9B can fly over the horizon via satellite for up to 40 hours, adapting to various weather conditions.
• SeaGuardian variant includes advanced features such as surface-search maritime radar and sonobuoy dispensers.
• General Atomics claims that MQ-9B offers 80% capability of a human-flown maritime patrol aircraft at 20% of the cost.
• Indian Navy is interested in MQ-9B due to reduced wear and tear on manned aircraft and decreased crew fatigue.
• MQ-9B provides continuous surveillance for the Army and Air Force, monitoring movements along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and beyond.
• MQ-9B seamlessly integrates with other U.S.-origin platforms used by India, expanding its mission capabilities.
• MQ-9B offers extended surveillance capabilities beyond national borders.
• MQ-9B helps in monitoring Chinese military buildup and troop movements.
• Cost efficiency and integration with existing platforms make MQ-9B a valuable asset for Indian defense forces.

 

Points to be noted...

About the News

The joint statement issued after discussions between U.S President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned that they are pleased with India's plan to acquire General Atomics MQ-9B High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) Unmanned Aerial vehicles (UAVs).

 

Aim of the deal for India

According to a senior official from India's Ministry of Defense (MoD), India is currently in talks to increase the amount of components made within the country as part of the deal. They are aiming for the indigenous content to be raised from the proposed 8-9% to a higher range of 15-20%.

 

About MQ-98 drones in Summery

The MQ-9B comes in two versions: the SkyGuardian and the SeaGuardian, which is used for maritime operations. The MQ-9B is designed to fly for long durations, up to 40 hours, using satellite technology and depending on its configuration.

 

 

FAQ’s related to MQ-9B Drones

FAQ 1:

Q: What are the variants of MQ-9B and their capabilities?

A: The MQ-9B has two variants: SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian. The SeaGuardian variant includes features like a surface-search maritime radar, automatic identification system, and sonobuoy dispensers for anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare missions.

 

FAQ 2:

Q: How long can the MQ-9B fly and what is its range?

A: The MQ-9B can fly over the horizon via satellite for up to 40 hours, depending on its configuration. It provides extended range and endurance capabilities.

 

FAQ 3:

Q: What are the cost advantages of using MQ-9B?

A: According to General Atomics, the MQ-9B offers approximately 80% of the capability of a large human-flown maritime patrol aircraft at only about 20% of its cost per hour. This makes it a more economical option for military operations.

 

FAQ 4:

Q: Why is the Indian Navy interested in MQ-9B UAVs?

A: The Indian Navy is interested in MQ-9B UAVs because they significantly reduce wear and tear on manned aircraft, such as their fleet of P-8I long-range maritime patrol aircraft. Additionally, it reduces crew fatigue while effectively monitoring the vast Indian Ocean Region and beyond.

 

FAQ 5:

Q: How can MQ-9B benefit the Indian Army and Air Force?

A: MQ-9B provides round-the-clock surveillance capabilities for the Indian Army and Air Force, allowing them to monitor activities beyond the borders, including movements of Chinese military buildup and troop movement along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

 

FAQ 6:

Q: Does MQ-9B integrate well with existing U.S.-origin platforms used by India?

A: Yes, MQ-9B seamlessly integrates with other U.S.-origin platforms, such as the P-8Is, AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, and MH-60R multi-role helicopters. This integration expands the multi-domain mission capabilities of the MQ-9B.

 

FAQ 7:

Q: How does MQ-9B contribute to cost efficiency for navies?

A: MQ-9B UAVs offer significant cost advantages for navies. For example, navies can use SeaGuardians to conduct initial surveillance, and if anything of interest is discovered, they can deploy human-crewed aircraft, saving time, cost, and reducing wear on expensive assets.

 

FAQ 8:

Q: What is the significance of MQ-9B's surveillance capabilities for the Indian Army and Air Force?

A: MQ-9B's round-the-clock surveillance capabilities enable the Indian Army and Air Force to monitor movements along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and deep inside enemy territories, providing crucial situational awareness and enhancing national security.

 

FAQ 9:

Q: Can MQ-9B operate in various weather conditions?

A: Yes, MQ-9B is designed to safely operate in all types of weather conditions, making it a reliable platform for intelligence gathering and reconnaissance missions.

 

FAQ 10:

Q: How does MQ-9B help in expanding mission capabilities for India?

A: MQ-9B's integration with existing U.S.-origin platforms used by India, along with its extended surveillance capabilities, enhances the country's mission set in multiple domains, providing a comprehensive and efficient defense solution.