India’s MQ-9B Purchase Adds to South Asia’s Drone-Heavy Environment

On 15 October, India signed a cope with the U.S. State Division for the acquisition of Normal Atomics MQ-9B high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial autos (UAV).

Reportedly valued at $3.5 billion USD, the settlement consists of 31 MQ-9Bs cut up between the SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian variants, which might be allotted to the Indian Military (IA), Indian Air Power (IAF) and Indian Navy (IN). 

In line with Normal Atomics, the MQ-9B has a most take-off weight (MTOW) of 5,670 kg, with an inner payload of 363 kg and exterior payload of two,155 kg cut up throughout 9 hardpoints. 

Powered by one Honeywell TPE331-10 turboprop engine, the MQ-9B has a variety of over 5,000 nautical miles, endurance of 30-plus hours, and flight ceiling of over 40,000 ft. 

Each the SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian variants may be configured with air-to-surface munitions, sensors – together with lively electronically scanned array (AESA) radars – and particular mission gear tuned for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), digital warfare (EW), anti-submarine warfare (ASW), and different operations.

Regarding the Indian program, the U.S. State Division accepted the sale of the MQ-9B in February 2024. It set the overall estimated value of this system at $3.99 billion USD, which might cowl 31 MQ-9Bs in addition to its required floor help gear, sensors, and weapons.