India's MQ-9B Drones to Free Up P-8I Aircraft for Critical Missions, Offering Affordable and Persistent Surveillance in IOR

The Indian Navy's planned acquisition of 15 MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones marks a significant step towards enhancing maritime surveillance capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) while optimizing operational costs.

These advanced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are expected to complement the Navy's fleet of 12 P-8I Neptune Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA), which have been extensively deployed to monitor the IOR, particularly in response to the growing presence of the Chinese Navy.

While the MQ-9B carries a hefty price tag of around $100 million per unit, Navy officials familiar with the system emphasize its long-term cost-effectiveness. The P-8I aircraft, equipped with sophisticated sensors and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities, has been crucial for surveillance operations. However, the increased deployment necessitated by the growing presence of Chinese warships and submarines has driven up operational costs significantly.

The P-8I, based on the US Navy's P-8A, costs approximately $175 million per unit, with a life-cycle cost per flying hour estimated at around $42,300. This high operational cost makes sustained use of these aircraft for routine patrols financially challenging.

In contrast, the MQ-9B Sea Guardian, while costing $100 million per unit, boasts a significantly lower life-cycle cost per flying hour – roughly 1/6th that of the P-8I, translating to approximately $7,050 per flying hour. This substantial reduction in operational costs allows the Navy to achieve similar surveillance objectives at a fraction of the cost, making the MQ-9B a highly cost-efficient alternative for routine maritime patrols.

By utilizing MQ-9B Sea Guardians, the Indian Navy can significantly reduce expenses while maintaining comprehensive maritime domain awareness in the IOR. The UAVs will enable persistent surveillance without solely relying on the P-8I, freeing up the manned aircraft for more specialized missions such as ASW and intelligence gathering.

The MQ-9B's cost-effectiveness is particularly attractive given the increasing number of foreign naval vessels, especially from China, operating in the IOR. The UAVs can operate for extended periods without crew fatigue, and their lower operational costs allow for a consistent presence in the region, crucial for tracking both surface ships and submarines.

While the P-8I remains unmatched in its long-range ASW capabilities and multi-mission sensors, the MQ-9B offers operational flexibility crucial for modern naval operations. Equipped with advanced radar systems, electro-optical/infrared sensors, and other payloads, the Sea Guardian can perform a wide range of missions, from intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) to search and rescue (SAR) operations.

Furthermore, the MQ-9B can be deployed in situations where utilizing a high-cost platform like the P-8I would be impractical or unnecessary. For routine patrols, the MQ-9B can provide real-time imagery and sensor data, identifying potential threats and relaying information back to naval command centers, ensuring continuous situational awareness without the high costs associated with manned flights.

Integrating MQ-9B Sea Guardians allows the Indian Navy to develop a more scalable and cost-effective maritime strategy. The UAVs can handle routine surveillance and reconnaissance missions, while the P-8I aircraft can be reserved for more critical operations requiring advanced ASW capabilities and long-range strike potential. This division of labor optimizes resource allocation, ensuring a consistent patrol presence in the vast Indian Ocean without straining the operational budget.

Given the expanding scope of India's naval responsibilities, this cost-effective solution is vital for ensuring the Indian Navy remains prepared to address both traditional and non-traditional threats in the IOR. The MQ-9B Sea Guardian promises to be a valuable asset in maintaining maritime security and upholding India's strategic interests in the region.

 

IAF Fast-Tracks CATS Warrior Program, Aims to Procure 200-250 Loyal Wingman Drones to Bolster Fighter Squadrons India to Build Two Nuclear-Powered Attack Submarines at New Visakhapatnam Facility, Construction to Begin by End of 2029

[neil]

Nevertheless, we should consider purchasing another 12 or at least 6 more P8I aircraft. These things will not be available forever, and our existing platforms are wearing out

 

[Anant]

Nevertheless, we should consider purchasing another 12 or at least 6 more P8I aircraft. These things will not be available forever, and our existing platforms are wearing out

Agreed. We don't have a viable long-range MPA platform other than the P-8I, and as the IAF is realising with the Netra Mk II, converting second-hand jets for other roles can be pretty expensive.

As such, we should be going for the proposed 8 additional P-8Is. The rest of the slack can be picked up by the drones and smaller MPAs like the C-295.

 

[Sandeep]

This seems like a well thought out plan which makes sense based on the capability that we need and saving money wherever we can. Once we receive the technology then we can use it to develop our own HALE drone which the USA is supposed to help us to develop one. At the same time we need to focus on developing the UCAV Archer NG where several prototypes are currently being manufactured. We also need to quickly start manufacturing our stealth UCAV Ghatak which is a very important drone program to increase our firepower without being detected.

It’s possible that we might order a few more P8I planes but it would be better to convert 10-14 C295 planes into a MPA/ASW and have more planes evenly spread out across the country at several different bases. With the current P8I they are housed and restricted to a few bases only which means that it has to travel a lot longer to reach certain areas which will increase the operating costs whereas the C295 can be used for short to medium range distances.

 

[Vikas Yadav]

The Indian Navy already lost one MQ-9B Sea Guardian UCAV during mission training, out of two which the Navy acquired on a lease-purchase basis. However, the US defense agreement is to replace the crashed UCAV, but how much additional price must be paid by the Defence Ministry?

Nevertheless, the USA never provides any TOT (Transfer of Technology) assistance and permission to complete design and assembly in India. Many sensors, engines, and units, including a flyaway cost of $7,000 per hour, is a handsome amount, and the life cycle cost should include, other than annual maintenance costs, other logistic agreement costs, simulator costs, separate missile and weapon system costs, insurance costs, and combat mission training costs.

For operational healthiness, India should spend another 1.5 billion dollars over the next 15 years. Hopefully, no other UAV is lost on any mission; elsewhere, the Navy should ask the USA firm that 60% of the profit should be spent on Indian UCAVs like the Ghatak-type UCAV.

But still, experiencing the front and expertise to handle such complex machines, and with trained personnel shortages, AMC costs, spare parts, overhaul costs, repair, maintenance, and modification to enhance and carry Indian radar and weapon systems is a huge cost. The government is already spending 3.3 billion dollars to buy 31 MQ-9Bs. It's better to make 100+ indigenous UCAVs.

 

[Somebody]

Nevertheless, we should consider purchasing another 12 or at least 6 more P8I aircraft. These things will not be available forever, and our existing platforms are wearing out

One was just brought down in Syria day before yesterday by terrorists.

 

[neil]

One was just brought down in Syria day before yesterday by terrorists.

These are primarily recon & intelligence gathering assets, not to be needlessly sent in harm's way. If they were used improperly, they could get shot down. But hopefully, we will be smarter in how we use them - strictly for their intended purpose - surveillance from afar and out of reach of most SAMs.

 

[neil]

The Indian Navy already lost one MQ-9B Sea Guardian UCAV during mission training, out of two which the Navy acquired on a lease-purchase basis. However, the US defense agreement is to replace the crashed UCAV, but how much additional price must be paid by the Defence Ministry?

That MQ9B which was lost, was operating on wet lease basis. It's loss is completely without financial implications for us; the lessor company will replace it fully at their cost. The only loss we face is the lack of availability of the drone in the interim period before a replacement comes.