At Least 21 of 31 Indian MQ-9B Predator Drones to Be Assembled Locally, Gaining Crucial Technology and Expertise

A significant majority of the MQ-9B Predator drones recently purchased by India from the United States will be assembled in India, marking a major step forward for the country's defense manufacturing capabilities.

Vivek Lall, Chief Executive of General Atomics Global Corporation (the drone's manufacturer), confirmed that 21 of the 31 drones included in the $3.5 billion deal will be assembled domestically.

This initiative aligns with India's "Make in India" program, which promotes domestic manufacturing and reduces reliance on foreign imports.

The agreement, finalized through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, highlights the growing defence partnership between India and the United States. It provides India with advanced surveillance and strike capabilities.

Of the 31 drones, 15 are SeaGuardian variants for the Indian Navy, and 16 are SkyGuardian variants (8 each for the Indian Army and Air Force).

General Atomics plans to deliver the first 10 drones in a ready-to-fly condition. The remaining 21 will be assembled in India, with the entire delivery process expected to take around three years, although the exact timeline is subject to a government-to-government agreement.

The local assembly of the MQ-9Bs represents a substantial boost to India's defense industry. General Atomics is partnering with prominent Indian companies, including Bharat Forge, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).

Bharat Forge is expected to contribute to the production of components, such as landing gear. HAL will bring its extensive experience in aircraft manufacturing and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services. BEL will focus on the drone's electronic systems and avionics.

This collaboration will transfer crucial technological knowledge and skills to Indian firms.

The deal also includes setting up a Comprehensive Global MRO facility in India. This facility, unique outside the U.S. for General Atomics, will provide long-term maintenance, repair, and upgrade services for the MQ-9B fleet.

This will reduce India's dependence on foreign support and ensure the drones remain operational at all times. Such a local MRO capability is crucial for maximizing the operational lifespan and readiness of the platforms.

The MQ-9B Predator is a highly advanced unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) known for its long endurance, ability to operate in all weather conditions, and versatility.

The SeaGuardian version is specifically designed for maritime operations, featuring a 360-degree maritime search radar, and is capable of tasks like maritime surveillance and anti-submarine warfare.

The SkyGuardian version, used by the Army and Air Force, will enhance intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities and can be equipped with precision-guided munitions.

The US Air Force, a long-time operator of the MQ-9 family, highlights the platform's persistent surveillance and strike capabilities.

With an operational range of over 40 hours and the ability to fly at altitudes up to 50,000 feet, the MQ-9B will significantly enhance India's ability to monitor its extensive borders and maritime areas.

This is particularly important given ongoing border tensions with China and increased Chinese naval presence in the Indian Ocean Region. The acquisition makes India the largest global operator of MQ-9Bs, significantly improving its strategic deterrence capabilities.

 

[Somebody]

All our UAV programs will now pick up speed. We are also getting some important TOT on this project, which would help all UAV programs and even fighter jets, as HAL will be getting modern tools and machinery from the US.

 

[Rinku Pandey]

Wow... amazing news. This will help in setting up a drone ecosystem in Bharat. Visionary step taken by GOI.

 

[Akshat]

This is far more than just assembling 21 drones in India. Assembly of such drones, or rather such aircraft, is a very, very complex process. These are stealth systems, and their assembly requires very high-precision machines. So, depending on how this is implemented, we will get the experience to assemble such systems, which can even be taken to other aerial platforms.

 

[Somebody]

Wow... amazing news. This will help in setting up a drone ecosystem in Bharat. Visionary step taken by GOI.

HAL would get modern infra structure, tools and machinery for assembling which is the best thing that could have happened.

 

[P.K Senapati]

India should not only assemble Predator drones of General Atomics, but we should take it forward and do joint development and manufacturing of drones in India.ADA and DRDO ADE can use consultancy from GA for indigenous drone development.

 

[obiwankenubi jedi]

If we can't build a drone in 20 years, like TAPAS and Archer, why don't we rebuild/reuse the MiG-21s, MiG-29s, MiG-27s, Mirage 2000, and even older Su-27/Su-30MKIs instead of retiring them?

Upgrade them with just enough electronics, radar and fly-by-wire systems, jammers, avionics, countermeasures, and satellite communication to use them as remotely piloted drones or autonomous missile trucks in contested airspace?!

Strip them of the seats, oxygen tanks, or OBOGS, and reduce weight to carry the automatic controls, more weapons, and fuel.

At least they would be faster in the air and also cheaper than the Predator, and can be used in air superiority roles as loyal wingmen for Tejas MK1A or work independently?!

Or even the Hawk or Kiran jets with similar fitting and remote piloting to rapidly bring up squadron numbers until 2035 instead?!

It would be really cheap and simple to do, and we can have these in large numbers too. In the worst case, they crash on the other side of the border!

And it would be better than buying 31 drones, while assembling 21 of them for a total of 3.5 billion USD.

The only problem that these old platforms had was safety and technology obsolescence, which can be addressed. And being unmanned, they can't kill the pilot if they crash or are brought down.

Just launch them from close to the border so that they don't crash into our cities or kill our people. We will have an autonomous or remotely piloted fleet in the hundreds.

This idea isn't new. Hopefully, we can do at least this for now, and we can use them until our complete fleet of Tejas MK1A, Tejas MK2, MRFA, and AMCA are ready by the 2040s.

 

[Bhishma]

If we can't build a drone in 20 years, like TAPAS and Archer, why don't we rebuild/reuse the MiG-21s, MiG-29s, MiG-27s, Mirage 2000, and even older Su-27/Su-30MKIs instead of retiring them?

Upgrade them with just enough electronics, radar and fly-by-wire systems, jammers, avionics, countermeasures, and satellite communication to use them as remotely piloted drones or autonomous missile trucks in contested airspace?!

Strip them of the seats, oxygen tanks, or OBOGS, and reduce weight to carry the automatic controls, more weapons, and fuel.

At least they would be faster in the air and also cheaper than the Predator, and can be used in air superiority roles as loyal wingmen for Tejas MK1A or work independently?!

Or even the Hawk or Kiran jets with similar fitting and remote piloting to rapidly bring up squadron numbers until 2035 instead?!

It would be really cheap and simple to do, and we can have these in large numbers too. In the worst case, they crash on the other side of the border!

And it would be better than buying 31 drones, while assembling 21 of them for a total of 3.5 billion USD.

The only problem that these old platforms had was safety and technology obsolescence, which can be addressed. And being unmanned, they can't kill the pilot if they crash or are brought down.

Just launch them from close to the border so that they don't crash into our cities or kill our people. We will have an autonomous or remotely piloted fleet in the hundreds.

This idea isn't new. Hopefully, we can do at least this for now, and we can use them until our complete fleet of Tejas MK1A, Tejas MK2, MRFA, and AMCA are ready by the 2040s.

We'll have to transition to UCAVs fast. What you mentioned is a good short-term strategy and will help us to transition. The problem is, eventually, we will run out of spares, and it will be very difficult to maintain them as time progresses.

See what the latest robots can do:

I bet the US already has fully autonomous AI fighter jets. It's like humans vs computers in chess. Humans don't stand a chance.

 

[Bhishma]

How to push Indian buttons. Use these buzzwords, and you can sell anything to Indians:

1. "Make in India"
2. "Indigenous"
3. "TOT"
4. "Local assembly"

We probably need like 4, not 31. We could have bought $5M surveillance drones in those numbers. These things are expensive to acquire and operate and very vulnerable to loss. One drone downed will hit us hard. For the US, they want to do remote assassinations. The pilot will be in Nevada. The launch pad will be in Diego Garcia. For them, it makes sense to make a drone like this. Our main areas of interest are the LOC, LAC, A&N, and Lakshadweep. Maybe some parts of the IOR. Do we really have a need to do remote assassinations in these areas of interest? All of these can be covered with a cheaper surveillance drone. Now Houthis are taking these birds down left, right, and center. I still don't get why Tapas/Archer or even Hermes 900 can't fill this role. We can buy 20 of them for every MQ-9.

Per drone comes to $112M. One Tejas Mk1A costs $38M. Might as well fit Kaveri engines in them and turn them into a jugaad predator. It will still be cheaper and more effective.

 

[Sea Harrier]

All our UAV programs will now pick up speed. We are also getting some important TOT on this project, which would help all UAV programs and even fighter jets, as HAL will be getting modern tools and machinery from the US.

We are only getting 20% TOT !!!
WELL, something is better than nothing !!!