Eurodrone Observation Status and MQ-9B Acquisition Signals India's Shift Towards Multi-Layered Defence from Maritime to Himalayan Borders

In a move signaling a significant shift in its defence strategy, India has joined the Eurodrone program as an observer, indicating its strong interest in acquiring 12 twin-engine Eurodrone Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS).

This development comes alongside India's ongoing acquisition of 30 MQ-9B SeaGuardian and SkyGuardian drones from the United States, highlighting a move towards a multi-layered defence approach and diversified international partnerships.

The Eurodrone, a collaborative project by Airbus Defence and Space, Dassault Aviation, and Leonardo, represents a cutting-edge advancement in unmanned aerial capabilities.

With a substantial payload capacity exceeding 2.3 tonnes, the Eurodrone offers a versatile platform for surveillance, reconnaissance, and precision strike missions. This acquisition would significantly enhance India's existing drone fleet, bolstering its capacity for self-reliance and strategic partnerships in defence technology.

While both the Eurodrone and the MQ-9B platforms offer advanced capabilities, they possess distinct characteristics suited to different operational requirements.

The Eurodrone, with its twin-engine design, emphasizes redundancy and safety, while the MQ-9B's single-engine configuration prioritizes efficiency. The Eurodrone boasts a larger payload capacity, enabling it to carry a wider array of sensors and weaponry, while the MQ-9B excels in long-endurance maritime surveillance.

The acquisition of both the Eurodrone and the MQ-9B will provide India with a complementary set of unmanned platforms, enhancing its defence capabilities across various domains:

• Maritime Domain Awareness: The MQ-9B's long-endurance capabilities make it ideally suited for persistent surveillance over vast oceanic expanses, while the Eurodrone's adaptability allows it to excel in multi-role operations across diverse environments.
• Airspace Superiority: The Eurodrone's payload capacity and interoperability with NATO systems position it as a valuable asset for electronic warfare and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions in contested airspace, including the Himalayan borders with China and Pakistan.
• Force Multiplication: The integration of both American and European unmanned systems enhances India's operational flexibility and resilience, ensuring a robust response to diverse combat scenarios.

India's pursuit of the Eurodrone reflects a strategic shift towards acquiring cutting-edge technologies while cultivating diverse defence partnerships. The complementary strengths of the Eurodrone and MQ-9B will enable India to address a broader range of security challenges, from maritime security and border surveillance to electronic warfare and power projection.

By integrating these advanced unmanned platforms, India is poised to strengthen its strategic autonomy and solidify its position as a leading power in the global aerospace and defence landscape.

The procurement decision also signifies a transition towards a multi-partner approach in India's defence modernization efforts, reducing reliance on any single supplier and fostering greater technological independence.

 

[sanket]

MQ-9B costs 25 to 30 million $, compared to the Eurodrone cost of 100 million $.

 

[divine]

MQ-9B costs 25 to 30 million $, compared to the Eurodrone cost of 100 million $.

The Eurodrone is as much a commercial failure as it is a tactical one! India needs to take only the information that is of interest so that it can do it itself, without getting completely involved in this project, which, for me, is a failure even before it is totally finished.

 

[Sandeep]

India is definitely not going to buy such an expensive drone that can’t even be armed. Their drone will also contain parts made by different countries with veto power and it will be more expensive to upgrade later on in its life.

It’s far better to stick to the MQ 9B drones which is better, has a longer lifespan and better performance compared to the European version.

Also gaining observer status is just to look at the kind and type of technology they are developing and what type of parts it has.

We have already started the Archer NG drone which is being manufactured right now which can carry out ISTAR missions and make it weapons capable. Also we need to speed up developing and manufacture the stealth UCAV Ghatak which will be even more important as it will carry out any stealth missions.

 

[Kira]

I believe the Euro drone is too costly, and has no proven record in unlike the Sea Gaurdian drones which are cheaper (relatively), have a good sevice record and can easily work in tandem with the IN P-8I fleet.

 

[Anubhav Sharma]

Doesn't look like good for buck investment, hardly 10-15% advantage over MQ9b bust cost is triple