The U.S. Congress was formally notified of the possible sale of 31 MQ-9B high altitude long endurance armed Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) to India estimated to cost $3.99 billion.
Key points
- MQ-9B is Remotely Piloted Aircraft.
- The Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale. India’s Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) had accorded the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the procurement of 31 MQ-9B UAVs from General Atomics.
- The proposed deal includes 15 Sea Guardian drones for the Navy and 16 Sky Guardians for the Army and Air Force.
- It is often dubbed the “Most Dangerous Military Drone on the Planet,” brings cutting-edge technology to the forefront.
- It has a remarkable flight time of 40 hours at altitudes exceeding 40,000 feet, armed with Hellfire air-to-ground missiles and smart bombs.
- The MQ-9B will significantly boost the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities of the Indian armed forces.
- The MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones represent a significant leap in India’s defense capabilities, providing an advanced technological edge for surveillance and precision strikes.
