MQ-9B HALE

Source: TH

Context: The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has approved two major defense deals: the purchase of 31 MQ-9B High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) from General Atomics and the indigenous construction of two nuclear attack submarines (SSNs).

Key Points:

• MQ-9B UAV Deal: Quantity and type: Includes 15 Sea Guardians for the Indian Navy and 16 Sky Guardians for the Indian Army and Air Force. Cost: The deal is valued at approximately $3.99 billion. MRO facility: General Atomics will set up a Global Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in India. Indigenous content: Amendments to include indigenous content were approved by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC).

• Quantity and type: Includes 15 Sea Guardians for the Indian Navy and 16 Sky Guardians for the Indian Army and Air Force.

• Cost: The deal is valued at approximately $3.99 billion.

• MRO facility: General Atomics will set up a Global Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in India.

• Indigenous content: Amendments to include indigenous content were approved by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC).

Features of MQ-9B Predator UAV:

• High-altitude capability: Operates at over 40,000 feet with a top speed of 442 km/h. Endurance: Up to 40 hours of continuous flight for prolonged surveillance. Payload and armament: Can carry up to 5,670 kg, equipped with four Hellfire missiles and bombs. Variants: Two variants include Sky Guardian and Sea Guardian, the latter in use by the Indian Navy since 2020. Roles: Engages in surveillance, anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, and electronic warfare. Operational flexibility: Capable of automatic take-offs and landings, integrates into civil airspace for real-time situational awareness.

• High-altitude capability: Operates at over 40,000 feet with a top speed of 442 km/h.

• Endurance: Up to 40 hours of continuous flight for prolonged surveillance.

• Payload and armament: Can carry up to 5,670 kg, equipped with four Hellfire missiles and bombs.

• Variants: Two variants include Sky Guardian and Sea Guardian, the latter in use by the Indian Navy since 2020.

• Roles: Engages in surveillance, anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, and electronic warfare.

• Operational flexibility: Capable of automatic take-offs and landings, integrates into civil airspace for real-time situational awareness.

Nuclear Attack Submarines (SSNs):

• Current status: India has indigenously developed SSBNs (ballistic missile submarines), with the new SSNs being a follow-on project. Significance: SSNs have unlimited endurance, limited only by crew, crucial for various naval tasks. Previous leases: India has previously leased two SSNs from Russia, with a third expected to join soon.

• Current status: India has indigenously developed SSBNs (ballistic missile submarines), with the new SSNs being a follow-on project.

• Significance: SSNs have unlimited endurance, limited only by crew, crucial for various naval tasks.

• Previous leases: India has previously leased two SSNs from Russia, with a third expected to join soon.

Insta Links:

• MQ-9b-predator-drones