PREDATOR DRONES
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.
IAF to acquire 6 Tapas drones, lead military acquisition for Made-in-India UAVs
Indian Navy to order four Tapas drones built by DRDO for maritime surveillance operations.
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.
US intelligence finding shows China surging equipment sales to Russia to help war effort in Ukraine
Two senior Biden administration officials, who discussed the sensitive findings Friday on the condition of anonymity, said that in 2023 about 90 per cent of Russia's microelectronics came from China, which Russia has used to make missiles, tanks and aircraft.
New approach: Multiple swarms of drones to tackle natural disasters like forest fires
IISc researchers develop a cutting-edge approach using coordinated multi-swarm drones equipped with advanced sensors and algorithms to combat forest fires efficiently. The technology aims to revolutionize disaster response strategies for wildfires and other natural calamities.
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.
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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.
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.
India seeks acquisition of 31 advanced 'hunter-killer' drones from US ahead of PM Modi-Biden G20 meet
India has formally requested to purchase 31 weaponized Predator-B drones from the US. The Ministry of Defence sent a Letter of Request (LoR) for these "hunter-killer" drones and related equipment. The Biden administration is expected to respond with a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LoA) under its foreign military sales program. Negotiations will determine the final price for the acquisition. The drones will enhance India's surveillance and strike capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region and along the borders with China and Pakistan.
India inducts new strike-capable drones at forward air base in Northern sector to cover both adversaries
The four new Heron Mark-2 drones, which can be equipped with long-range missiles and other weapons systems, have been deployed at a forward air base in the northern sector, where Team witnessed their operations.
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.
"Endurance of 33 hours in the air..." Navy chief gives details of Predator drone surveillance capability
"Indian Navy has been operating these drones. They fall in the category of the HALE, (high altitude long endurance drones). So, we realised there is a need for having these drones for better surveillance and increased maritime domain awareness," Kumar said. He further added, "So we had taken two of these on lease from November 2020 onwards. And since then we have been operating it."
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.
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.
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.
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