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America has approved the deal to provide 31 MQ-9B Predator drones to India. The deal was announced during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to America last year. Apart from 31 drones, many other technologies and weapons will be sold to India. The estimated cost of the entire deal is about 4 billion dollars (about Rs 32 thousand crores).
America’s security agency said in the press release, ‘This deal will strengthen the strategic relations between America and India’. The proposed mega drone deal will also prove to be a game changer in India’s border security. High Altitude Long Endurance Drones equipped with modern models have the ability to fly in all weather conditions and monitor the movements of enemies. Let us know how Predator drones will further strengthen the country’s army.
For what purposes are Predator drones used?
Under the deal, India will get two types of Predator drones – SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian. Sea Guardian drones will be deployed for maritime surveillance and Sky Guardian drones for guarding land borders. Out of 31 drones, the Army and Air Force will get eight SkyGuardian versions each. At the same time, the Navy will be given 15 SeaGuardian versions of MQ-9B.
These are unmanned aerial vehicles, which can be flown and controlled from a distance. Such aircraft are called Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPS). They are used all over the world for intelligence gathering, surveillance and military patrolling. Apart from this, these drones are equipped with modern technologies like disaster relief, search and rescue, aerial attack and electronic warfare.
What are the special features of America’s drones?
SkyGuardian has been designed in such a way that security forces can get real-time situational information. Drone Lynx comes with multi-mode radar and advanced electro-optical/infrared sensors. Can do takeoff and landing automatically. The special thing is that they can work continuously for more than 40 hours. According to the report, they can fly as high as 40 thousand feet and can collect information up to a range of 1,850 kilometers. This means that whether it is day or night, in every season, these Predator drones can monitor the movements of enemies for hours from a height of thousands of feet.
How will border security be strengthened?
America’s Predator drone will improve the ability of Indian security forces to deal with current and future threats. After this agreement, India’s position will be strengthened both on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China and on the Line of Control (LOC) with Pakistan. These unmanned aerial vehicles have the capability to fire missiles and ammunition at enemy targets like fighter planes.
Experts believe that with the help of unmanned aerial vehicle, the movements of enemies across the border can be monitored. Hellfire missiles and laser guided bombs can also be fitted in the drones that India is purchasing from America. The Chinese army also has its own armed drones. However, the MQ-9B Predator drones have advanced capabilities.
Predator drone can also take off from a warship. It is capable of carrying an external payload of 2155 kg. They will also play an important role in monitoring the maritime border. It is being told that these drones are sure to be used to monitor China’s growing dominance in the Indian Ocean region.
What else is India buying from America?
America’s Defense Security Corporation Agency has given details of about 4 billion dollar deal between India and America in the press release. Apart from 31 MQ-9B Predator drones, the deal also includes the weapons and technology installed in them.
- 161 Embedded Global Positioning and Inertial Navigation System
35 Rio Grande Communications Intelligence Sensor Suite
170 AGM-114R Hellfire missiles
16 M36E9 Hellfire Captive Air Training Missiles
210 GBU-39B/B Laser Small Diameter Bomb
Surveillance Systems and Radar
