While the MQ-9B deal appears to be on the verge of finalization, India has voiced dissatisfaction with the detailed information disclosed by the US Defense Department in its statement, specifying the number of Hellfire missiles and guided bombs accompanying the 31 MQ-9 Sky Guardian drones.
Why the concern?
Sources indicate that sharing such information could make India’s adversaries, particularly neighbouring enemy Pakistan, aware of the extent of India’s drone capabilities. It is believed that Pakistan has received a batch of 6-7 Bayraktar Akinci drones from Turkey, but no official announcement has been made by either party. Pakistan is reportedly readying these drones for deployment near Lahore. The specific missiles and weapons installed in the Bayraktar drone, as well as the quantity received in this package, remain undisclosed.
Remarkably, Pakistan has not publicly acknowledged any deal with Turkey for the Bayraktar drones, but this information became evident through the uniform patches on the Bayraktar TB2 drones during an exercise.
In contrast, the US announced on Thursday its intention to provide India with the highly lethal MQ-9B Predator drone. The US Defense Department notified Congress about the MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) for India. This indicates that the conspiracy to murder Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu has not hindered defense cooperation between the two countries.
Detailing the deal, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency of the US Department of Defense issued a statement, confirming the US$3.99 billion (about Rs 33 thousand crore) deal for 31 MQ-9B Sky Guardian aircraft, along with 170 Hellfire missiles, 310 laser small diameter bombs, Global Positioning and Inertial Navigation System, and other equipment. The Defense Department has informed Congress about this deal.
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US last year, discussions took place between the two nations regarding the purchase of the MQ-9B Predator, which is an armed version of the Reaper. The US State Department has communicated this information to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, the company manufacturing MQ-9B drones.
According to the US State Department, the MQ-9B deal will bolster the strategic relationship between India and America, contributing to peace, stability, and economic prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and South Asia. Additionally, these drones will play a vital role in sea surveillance and addressing potential threats.
India requires 31 MQ-9B drones to monitor the Indian Ocean and the airspace adjacent to China-Pakistan. Of these, 15 drones (Sea-Guardian) are allocated for the Indian Navy, and 8 each for the Air Force and Army. The provision of Hellfire missiles and laser-guided bombs with MQ-9B drones indicates their combat capabilities.