By Girish Linganna
Feb 3: Reports have emerged that despite U.S. senator,Ben Cardin , proposing a hold on the deal due to concerns related to the Pannun incident and India's "high-level" investigation into it, the proposed sale of 31 MQ-9B High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) Unmanned Aerial Combat Vehicles (UACVs) to India—comprising 15 for the Indian Navy, 8 for the Indian Airforce, and 8 for the Indian Army, estimated at $3.99 billion (approximately 26,000 Crores)—has been briefed to the U.S. legislature.
The US State Department has given its approval for a potential sale of MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft and related equipment to the Government of India. The estimated cost of this sale is $3.99 billion. The Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has officially notified Congress about this potential sale on February 1.
According to a spokesperson from the U.S. Embassy, the proposed sale to India will now undergo a review by Congress, which will take 30 days. After the review is completed, India and the United States can finalize the sale by signing a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LoA).
The proposed sale is intended to support the foreign policy and national security goals of the United States. It aims to strengthen the strategic relationship between the United States and India and enhance the security of India, which is an important defense partner. India plays a crucial role in maintaining political stability, peace, and economic growth in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia region, making this sale significant in achieving those objectives.
MQ-9B: SeaGuardian & SkyGuardian - Versatile UAVs for Maritime & Surveillance
The MQ-9B is a version of the MQ-9 "Reaper," which is a well-known drone used by the United States to eliminate Ayman al-Zawahiri, the leader of al-Qaeda. The earlier Predator models were substituted with the Predator B, also called MQ-9 Reapers, in 2007.
MQ-9B has two versions: the SkyGuardian and the SeaGuardian, which is used for maritime operations. It can fly for up to 40 hours, depending on how it is set up, using satellite communication. It is designed to work in all weather conditions and can safely operate in civilian airspace.
The SeaGuardian variant includes features like a radar for searching the surface in all directions, an automatic identification system, a system for monitoring sonobuoys, and dispensers for deploying sonobuoys. These features enable it to perform persistent missions for anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare.
Sonobuoys are small, expendable devices that are dropped from aircraft or ships into the water to detect and track underwater sounds, such as the presence of submarines or marine mammals. They contain hydrophones (underwater microphones) and other sensors to gather acoustic data. The information collected by sonobuoys helps in underwater surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, and scientific research related to marine life and oceanography.
General Atomics the manufactures, claims that the MQ-9B can deliver about 80% of the capabilities of a large manned maritime patrol aircraft, but at only around 20% of the cost per hour. This makes it a much more cost-effective option for navies. They can deploy the MQ-9B, such as the SeaGuardian, to cover large areas of air or sea and if something interesting is found, they can then send in a human-crewed aircraft to save time, expense, and wear on the crewed aircraft.
The Indian Navy is interested in these UAVs primarily because they can help minimize damage to manned aircraft and reduce crew fatigue. By using UAVs like the MQ-9B, the wear and tear on their fleet of 12 P-8I long-range maritime patrol aircraft can be reduced. Additionally, these UAVs can keep a watchful eye over the vast Indian Ocean Region and beyond, which helps in monitoring activities without putting excessive strain on the crew.
The Army and Air Force can benefit from the MQ-9B by having continuous surveillance capabilities that extend beyond the borders. For example, they can use these UAVs to monitor the movement of Chinese military buildup and troop movements along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), even in remote areas. This allows them to gather valuable intelligence on potential threats and activities happening deep inside enemy territory.
The MQ-9B can easily work together with other U.S.-made platforms that India already has, such as the P-8Is, AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, MH-60R multi-role helicopters, and more. This seamless integration allows the MQ-9B to expand its capabilities across different domains, enabling it to perform a wide range of missions effectively.
The MQ-9B SeaGuardian and SkyGuardian are variants of the same aircraft, the MQ-9B. The main difference lies in their intended operational environments and specific mission capabilities.
1. SeaGuardian: The SeaGuardian variant is specifically designed for maritime operations. It includes features and equipment tailored for anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare missions. It may be equipped with a 360-degree surface-search maritime radar, automatic identification system, sonobuoy monitoring system, and sonobuoy dispensers. These features enable it to detect and track surface vessels and submarines in maritime environments.
2. SkyGuardian: The SkyGuardian variant is primarily focused on general surveillance and intelligence-gathering missions. It is not specifically optimized for maritime operations like the SeaGuardian. The SkyGuardian may be equipped with advanced sensors, including electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) cameras, synthetic aperture radar (SAR), and signals intelligence (SIGINT) equipment. It provides persistent surveillance capabilities for a wide range of applications, such as border surveillance, reconnaissance, and target tracking.
MQ-9B SeaGuardian and SkyGuardian variants have the capability to carry and deploy missiles. The MQ-9B is designed as a versatile platform that can be armed with various munitions, including air-to-surface missiles. This allows it to perform not only surveillance and reconnaissance missions but also engage targets if necessary. The specific types and configurations of the missiles that can be carried may vary depending on the operational requirements and the specific payload options selected for each variant.
In summary, the SeaGuardian variant of the MQ-9B is tailored for maritime operations, equipped with features for anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare. The SkyGuardian variant is more versatile, designed for general surveillance missions with advanced sensor capabilities.
General Atomics, ,explains that the MQ-9B SkyGuardian and the MQ-9B SeaGuardian, are updated versions of their well-known MQ-9A Reaper drone. They mention that these drones have a wingspan of 79 feet, which allows them to carry more equipment. They also highlight that these drones have a flexible system that lets them add the latest technology for collecting information, protecting themselves, and carrying weapons for more challenging missions.
In 2020, the Indian Navy obtained two MQ-9 Sea Guardian High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) drones on lease from the United States as a measure to counter the growing presence of the Chinese Navy in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Senior defense officials have indicated that India intends to establish three key drone bases across the nation. One will be situated in either the North or Northwest, and another in the Northeast, to provide comprehensive coverage of those areas. Additionally, a significant base will be set up at INS Rajali, which has been the operating point for two Predator drones since the early stages of the confrontation with China during 2020-21.
(The author of this article is a Defence, Aerospace & Political Analyst based in Bengaluru. He is also Director of ADD Engineering Components, India, Pvt. Ltd, a subsidiary of ADD Engineering GmbH, Germany. You can reach out to him at: girishlinganna@gmail.com)