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Indian MQ-9B ‘Predators’ To Keep An Eye On China; Ukraine War Shows ISR Drones Can Wreak Havoc On Enemies

In what will be the most significant force multiplier for the Indian military, the deal for 31 MQ-9B drones will be one of the first orders for the new government post-elections in the country.

The forces are gearing up to station these strategic assets in two states in the country, covering not only its land borders with Pakistan and China but also the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

The American ‘Hunter Killer’ drones will come equipped with not only state-of-the-art surveillance equipment but also lethal weapons, including hellfire missiles and laser small-diameter bombs.

The American Defense Security Cooperation Agency has already notified the US Congress about approving the sale to India through a Foreign Military Sale. The deal is estimated to cost around US $3.99 billion.

India will purchase 31 MQ-9B ‘Predators’– 15 for the Indian Navy and eight each for the Indian Army and Air Force. The first deliveries are likely to happen by the end of 2026.

The Indian Army and Air Force have identified Sarsawa and Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh to operate these assets. Both services are reported to station four of their Predators in each base.

The MQ-9B can take off from a small runway as short as 4,000 feet using an Automatic Takeoff and Landing Capability (ATLC), making it suitable for the Indian Army operating in remote regions. It requires a handful of essential personnel for support.

In June 2020, the Indian and Chinese troops came to blows at the frigid and inhospitable terrain of the lofty Himalayas. In the ensuing standoff between the two Asian giants following the bloody Galwan clash, a remotely piloted ‘hunter-killer’ of the Indian Navy — MQ-9B — took off from its home base. It traversed thousands of kilometers to give a real-time battle picture to the Indian troops holding ground at those treacherous heights.

The Indian Navy flew land missions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) at the request of the Indian Army, and these missions cemented the reputation of the MQ-9Bs for the Indian armed forces.

With a range of 1800 kilometers and 36 hours of endurance, these assets will effectively cover the country’s western and eastern borders. A commander can use the MQ-9Bs onboard sensors and weapons to conduct armed reconnaissance and pre-planned strikes. MQ-9s can find, fix, track, target, engage, and assess critical emerging targets (both moving and stationary).

The Indian Navy is expected to station its drones in Tamil Nadu’s INS Rajali, from where it operates its two MQ-9Bs taken from the US on lease. These Predators will keep an eye on the Indian Ocean Region, backing the Indian Navy’s anti-piracy efforts and deterring the forays of Chinese submarines in the region.

Most recently, the leased MQ-9 played a stellar role in rescuing a hijacked merchant vessel, MV Ruen. The operation, spanning 40 hours, was conducted by INS Kolkata, 1400 kilometers off the coast of India.




MV Ruen
MV Ruen, the Malta-flagged cargo vessel that was hijacked by Somali pirates in December 2023. (Indian Navy)

MQ-9 was launched from INS Rajali in Southern India after the pirates opened fire at INS Kolkata’s spotter drone. The Indian Navy inducted its elite marine commandos through airdrop, and the mission was supported by critical intelligence from the MQ-9.

The MQ-9B armed drones will change the face of warfare in the region. It will provide the Indian Navy with a force multiplier, enabling it to cover larger areas, respond faster to threats, and enhance its overall maritime security posture.

The biggest advantage of the drone is its communication relay capabilities, which allow it to extend the range of naval communication networks. “It can act as a bridge between ships, aircraft, and coastal stations, improving overall situational awareness,” an official told the EurAsian Times. He asserted that the mere presence of MQ-9B drones in the region can act as a deterrent against hostile actions by adversaries.

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