MQ 9 PREDATOR
US has 'some concerns' over India-Russia military engagement: Kurt Campbell
US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell has expressed concerns over India's military and technology engagement with Russia, but also has confidence in New Delhi to advance partnership in key areas. The US is seeking to develop a deeper and stronger technological relationship with India, despite the ongoing relationship between India and Russia. Campbell emphasized that while there are areas of alignment between the US and India, there may be differences in perspectives and historical ties.
Indian Army, IAF to jointly deploy Predator drones in Gorakhpur, Sarsawa air bases
Indian Army and Air Force to deploy MQ-9B Predator drones at Sarsawa and Gorakhpur air bases in Uttar Pradesh, enhancing surveillance capabilities along the Line of Actual Control with China from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh.
Navy clears deal for 31 Predator Drones from US, contract signing expected in coming months
Navy chief Admiral R Hari Kumar has announced that the Defence Acquisition Council has approved the purchase of 31 Predator drones from the US, with a contract signing expected in the coming months. The deal, valued at approximately USD 4 billion, will see 15 drones operated by the Indian Navy, while the Army and Air Force will operate 8 each. This procurement is part of India's efforts to bolster its maritime capabilities and protect national interests.
Quad countries can establish mechanism for real-time data sharing: Vivek Lall, CEO of General Atomics
Vivek Lall, CEO of General Atomics, proposed establishing a new mechanism for real-time data sharing among Quad nations to address maritime domain awareness and security concerns in the Indo-Pacific. He emphasized the need for persistent collection of intelligence through space, airborne, and surface assets to deter aggression in the region.
US approves sale of 31 Predator drones to India
India and the US are in ongoing negotiations for a $3 billion deal involving the supply of 31 MQ-9B Predator drones to the Indian armed forces. The US Congress is expected to favorably consider the deal, with the Biden administration likely to notify Congress soon. The deal, announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Washington in June 2023, is aimed at enhancing India's surveillance capabilities, particularly along the Line of Actual Control with China. The drones can stay airborne for over 35 hours and carry missiles and bombs. The cost is estimated to be around $3 billion.
MQ-9B drone deal: Biden administration notifies US Congress on proposed sale to India
People familiar with the matter said the Congressional notification process started on Thursday and a letter of approval will be sent to India after around 30 days following the approval to the procurement by the Congress.
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Ready to consider integration of Brimstone missiles onto MQ-9B Predator to be procured by India, says MBDA
India is in the process of procuring 31 MQ-9B Predator high-altitude long-endurance drones from the US at a cost of nearly USD 3 billion to crank up the surveillance apparatus of the armed forces, especially along the contested frontier with China.
India, US looking at finalising MQ-9B Predator drone deal by early next year
India is set to finalise a deal to acquire 31 MQ-9B Predator armed drones from the US under a government-to-government framework by March. The US Congress is expected to clear the supplies in the next few weeks. The drones are being procured to enhance the surveillance apparatus of the armed forces, particularly along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. The procurement is estimated to cost around USD 3 billion.
Improving convergence with America to counter China, says Rajnath Singh
During a bilateral meeting following the 2+2 dialogue between India and the US, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin highlighted the increasing strategic convergence between the two countries. The talks covered various strategic issues, with a focus on enhancing defense industrial cooperation and co-developing and co-producing defense systems.
Indian Predator drones help Navy keep a close watch over Indian Ocean Region
The Indian Navy has utilized Predator drones to conduct over 13,000 hours of missions in the Indian Ocean Region. The drones, leased from American firm General Atomics, have the capability to cover the entire region in one go, with a range of 4,000-8,000 km and a flight time of over 30 hours. The Navy plans to acquire 15 more advanced drones equipped with weapons and detection kits under a tri-services deal with the US. The drones have been effective in monitoring the movement of Chinese warships and vessels in Indian areas of interest.
Predator drones, P-8I surveillance aircraft have proved to be useful in operations over Ladakh: Navy chief
Amid the ongoing standoff with China in Eastern Ladakh, Navy chief Admiral R Hari Kumar on Thursday said the P-8I surveillance planes along with the two leased Predator drones have proved useful in Ladakh since 2020 and will further improve the capabilities when they start arriving in the country.
Average cost offered by US for MQ-9B drones 27 per cent less for India, negotiations yet to begin: Sources
Sixteen of these drones purchased by the US cost it USD 69 each but it was only a "green aircraft" without sensors, weapons and certification. Features like censors, weapons and payloads make up for 60-70 per cent of the total cost, he said, adding that even the US acquired five of them at USD 119 million each.
Congress raises questions on pricing of predator drone deal with USA, seeks complete transparency
The Congress party is demanding transparency in the India-US drone deal, accusing the Modi government of procuring 31 drones for a higher price. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera raised concerns about national security and compared the deal to the controversial Rafale jet deal.
'Predator' drone deal to bring countries to India's doorstep for MRO services: Ex-defence secretary
India and the US signed a $3bn deal for 31 hi-tech unmanned aerial vehicles during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to the US. The move is significant and will see the drones assembled, maintained and repaired in India, creating a full MRO hub for the technology. The General Atomics MQ-9B High-Altitude Long Endurance UAVs will also enhance the intelligence, surveillance and target acquisition capabilities of the Indian military.
Ahead of Predator drone deal announcement, here's what you should know about the man who played an instrumental role
Currently, talks are still on for the drone deal, with the two nations expecting to ink the deal for the acquisition of 31 Predator drones during PM Modi's maiden state visit to the US. The Predators, also called the MQ-9 Reaper, can fly up to 36 hours at a stretch and can be used for focused monitoring of any specific point or area of interest. As many as 31 Predator drones, to be acquired by India from the US soon, would be operated by the tri-services jointly.
Predator Drones helped India uncover drug off Kerala-Gujarat coast, Lanka, Maldives
Operation ‘Samudragupta’ carried out by Narcotics Control Bureau & Indian Navy; surveillance maintained using medium-altitude and long-endurance UAVs.
Biden and Modi to announce the deal on armed drones: White House
The General Atomics MQ-9 "Reaper" has an endurance of over 27 hours, speeds of 240 KTAS, can operate up to 50,000 feet, and has a 3,850 pound (1,746 kilogrammes) payload capacity that includes 3,000 pounds (1,361 kilogrammes) of external stores, according to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI).
PM Modi's US visit will really be historic, says Chief Executive of General Atomics that makes Predator drones
Chief Executive at General Atomics Global Corporation, Vivek Lall, on Wednesday (local time) said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's State visit to the US is "historic" and a "watershed moment" as India is all set to purchase the Predator drones manufactured by the company.
Predator Drone Deal: Plenty needs to be done before desi UAVs take off
While drones are not new to Indian security forces, they were largely seen as a complementary platform to the services. For example, IAF has long operated the Israel-made loitering munition Harpy and its upgraded version the Harop. These can loiter for up to six hours and carry a 23kg warhead. But India’s own drone manufacturing capabilities are low grade, despite its domestic expertise in IT.
Defence Ministry approves MQ-9 Reaper drone deal with US, final clearance to be given by CCS
The DAC is the highest body in the Defence Ministry to take decisions on acquisitions. All high value acquisitions are given final approval by the CCS. The Indian Navy is the lead agency for the deal in which 15 drones will be going to the maritime force for surveillance operations in its area of responsibility. The three services also have plans of going in for same type of medium altitude and long endurance drones from indigenous sources.
MQ-9 Reaper: All about the US drone that crashed into the Black Sea
The MQ-9 Reaper is a more recent and larger variant of the MQ-1 Predator drone, which was utilized by the U.S. Air Force until 2018. The Reapers are swifter, have superior sensors, and can carry more weapons, as per an Air Force statement.
US embassy officials visit Indian Navy base operating leased Predator drones
During the visit, US Embassy Staff were briefed by the Indian Navy about the capabilities of the remotely piloted aircraft and its various sensors, their roles in aiding Indian Navy surveillance tasking, maintenance, and logistical support, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) said in a media release.
India in advanced stage of talks with US for procurement of MQ-9B drones
The long-endurance-hunter-killer drones are being procured for the three services as they can carry out a variety of roles including maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, over-the-horizon targeting and hitting stationary ground targets.
India okays US predator drones deal; Russian S-400 arrives
The Predator purchase would next go to the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) headed by defence minister Rajnath Singh before getting a final approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. As it is being purchase from the foreign military sales (FMS) route, India will then send a formal request to the US government to supply the drones that are made by General Atomics.
India seeks more information on $3 billion drone acquisition before it seals the deal with US
"Due to the high procurement cost for the 30 armed drones, the Defence Ministry wants better insight into the deal. MoD has asked for some more details on the exact costing, the repair and maintenance facilities that will be set up in India, and the technology transfer it will entail," a source told TOI on Tuesday.
India to buy US armed drones to counter China, Pakistan
India will approve next month the $3 billion purchase of 30 MQ-9B Predator drones manufactured by San Diego-based General Atomics, the officials said, asking not to be identified speaking with the media. The deal would add to India’s military capabilities as the drones it has now can only be used for surveillance and reconnaissance.
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