Hunter Drones Cleared : CCS Clears 31 MQ9B for $ 3.1 Billion

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has officially approved the acquisition of 31 MQ-9B High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) drones for the Indian armed forces. These UAVs, acquired from General Atomics of the United States, will be distributed across India’s three military branches, with 15 allocated to the Indian Navy, and 8 each to the Indian Army and Air Force. The approval marks a significant step in enhancing India’s intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities across both maritime and land borders.

Strategic Necessity for the Indian Navy

For the Indian Navy, these drones represent a much-needed strategic upgrade. Currently, the P-8I Poseidon aircraft is used for long-range maritime surveillance in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). However, operating the P-8I for extended missions is an expensive affair. The MQ-9Bs, with their ability to stay airborne for extended durations, provide a more cost-effective alternative for surveillance deep into the IOR, where Chinese naval activity has been increasing. The endurance of these UAVs will allow the Navy to keep a tighter watch on critical chokepoints such as the Malacca, Sunda, and Lombok Straits, vital maritime routes through which submarines and other vessels from the South China Sea enter the IOR.

Critical Role for Northern and Northeastern Borders

For the Indian Army and Air Force, these UAVs will play an important role along the northern and northeastern borders, especially in the high-altitude regions where effective monitoring requires UAVs that can fly at altitudes higher than 28,000 to 30,000 feet. Most of the missions in Kashmir, that we monitored for a while were over 28,000 ft altitude. The mountainous terrain along India’s border with China demands UAVs with sophisticated sensors and the ability to perform reconnaissance and intelligence-gathering missions in challenging conditions from a higher altitude. The MQ-9Bs, equipped with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) sensors and advanced ELINT (Electronic Intelligence) and SIGINT (Signals Intelligence) pods, will provide real-time situational awareness, making them a critical asset in monitoring movements and potential threats along these volatile borders.

Cost Reduction and Offsets for Indian Industry

Initially, the cost of the MQ-9B deal was believed to be around $4.1 billion. However, the final approval from the CCS comes with a price tag of $3.1 billion, suggesting that India may be opting out of some of the weapons and sensors originally included in the U.S. package. This cost-saving move indicates India’s focus on acquiring only the most essential capabilities while potentially relying on domestic solutions for some components.

The deal is also expected to include offsets for Indian private sector companies, who will likely manufacture parts of the UAVs in India. This aligns with India’s “Make in India” initiative, which aims to boost local defense production and reduce reliance on foreign imports for critical defense equipment.

Tactical Advantage on Both Borders

For India’s western border with Pakistan, the MQ-9Bs will provide real-time monitoring and high-definition imagery, giving Indian forces a significant advantage in detecting infiltrators. The ability to engage targets in real-time using precision-guided munitions or air-to-ground weapons is an upgrade over the current systems, which often suffer from delays between target detection and engagement, leading to missed opportunities.

In the case of China, the MQ-9Bs will bolster India’s ISR capabilities along a sensitive border where Chinese movements are closely watched. The combination of SAR sensors and ELINT/SIGINT systems will allow the Indian Army to detect, track, and, if necessary, engage potential threats.

Boost for Indian Navy’s Anti-Submarine Warfare

Perhaps the most significant advantage of the MQ-9B drones will be felt by the Indian Navy. The endurance and range of these UAVs make them ideal for long-duration missions in the IOR, where China has been increasingly deploying submarines and surface vessels. The ability to detect and track Chinese submarines in shallow waters and choke points like the Sunda, Lombok, and Malacca Straits will enhance India’s maritime domain awareness. The Navy will now have the capability to continuously monitor submarine activity and chase known targets for extended periods, something that requires the endurance that the MQ-9Bs can provide.

Timeline and Future Implications

The deal is expected to be signed within the next two weeks, with deliveries starting as early as next year. Once operational, these MQ-9Bs will dramatically enhance India’s surveillance capabilities, providing real-time intelligence across both land and maritime domains. The offset agreements are also expected to give a significant boost to India’s private defense manufacturing sector, furthering the country’s push towards self-reliance in defense production.

The acquisition of these drones comes at a crucial time as India continues to modernize its defense capabilities in response to emerging threats from both its western and northern neighbors. The MQ-9Bs will serve as a force multiplier, allowing the Indian armed forces to operate with enhanced situational awareness and precision across diverse and challenging operational environments.