General Atomics MQ-9B SkyGuardian/SeaGuardian Drone for the Indian Armed Forces

GteldgUaAAAzcal


20250616-en-5072384-1.jpg


 
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CATS @hunter said:
The range would be less, higher chances of getting shot down, it would be better platform if we use them for EW roles, launch decoys, complementing the existing platforms,
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If it can be used for ISR roles then it can also be used as an mini AWACS

The larger Awacs can be easily detected and it will have to Run for safety once a PL 15 or PL 17 is fired

See Wars are not free , the thing is how much can we And the Enemy can afford to lose

Pakistan is still crying over Bholari Awacs and the One Downed at 314 KM distance by S 400
 
Multiple MQ-9s have been shot down in recent times by rag tag militia like the Houthis to say nothing about near peer adversaries like Pak.

GA is quickly offloading its current product line to foreign countries before its new gen Gambit series stealth drones enter scale production.
 
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Speedster1 said:
Multiple MQ-9s have been shot down in recent times by rag tag militia like the Houthis to say nothing about near peer adversaries like Pak.

GA is quickly offloading its current product line to foreign countries before its new gen Gambit series stealth drones enter scale production.
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Its a weird argument in the Indian context. We are not going to fly over pakistani or chinese airspace with this. The US flew those drones without much care because they are considered expendable compared to a manned fighter.
 
Speedster1 said:
Multiple MQ-9s have been shot down in recent times by rag tag militia like the Houthis to say nothing about near peer adversaries like Pak.

GA is quickly offloading its current product line to foreign countries before its new gen Gambit series stealth drones enter scale production.
Click to expand...

So you think that Our GHATAK, MUM -T ,CATS warrior etc will be immune to being shot down

On the One hand we Applaud our Akashteer system for knocking out Enemy drones and on the other we don't want to lose anything in real and active combat 🤣
 
MQ-9B isn't exactly expendable at the price it goes for. For the US, sure. For India, with a grand total of 31 airframes, not so much.

I'd say MQ-9B is a great fit for naval MR/ISR, even ASW. However, it is too vulnerable to manpads/AAA threats in the border surveillance role.

The IAF would've preferred the MQ-20 Avenger-C had it been available. They seem to have settled for the second best option because the IN was getting them.
 
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Speedster1 said:
MQ-9B isn't exactly expendable at the price it goes for. For the US, sure. For India, with a grand total of 31 airframes, not so much.

I'd say MQ-9B is a great fit for naval MR/ISR, even ASW. However, it is too vulnerable to manpads/AAA threats in the border surveillance role.

The IAF would've preferred the MQ-20 Avenger-C had it been available. They seem to have settled for the second best option because the IN was getting them.
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I provided the reason for their attrition. I was inferring that we will not be using it as expandable, like the US.

MQ-20 was never considered, made up stories for fanboys.
 
Ashwin said:
I provided the reason for their attrition. I was inferring that we will not be using it as expandable, like the US.

MQ-20 was never considered, made up stories for fanboys.
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Flying at a standoff distance/altitude can help to an extent.

However, asymmetric weapons like Iran's 358 loitering surface to air 'cruise missile' have gotten the better of MQ-9B even then.

www.presstv.ir

Explainer: What makes Iran’s loitering ‘358’ surface-to-air missile a military asset?

358, a dual-use missile produced by the IRGC, which can function as both a loitering missile and an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), is one of the major assets for the Iranian armed forces.
www.presstv.ir www.presstv.ir

As regards the IAF pitching for Avenger-C, here's a news report you might find interesting:

www.ainonline.com

India Eyes the Jet-powered Predator | AIN

Maker is touting strategic ISR capability with new multispectral sensor.
www.ainonline.com www.ainonline.com
 
Speedster1 said:
Flying at a standoff distance/altitude can help to an extent.

However, asymmetric weapons like Iran's 358 loitering surface to air 'cruise missile' have gotten the better of MQ-9B even then.

www.presstv.ir

Explainer: What makes Iran’s loitering ‘358’ surface-to-air missile a military asset?

358, a dual-use missile produced by the IRGC, which can function as both a loitering missile and an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), is one of the major assets for the Iranian armed forces.
www.presstv.ir www.presstv.ir

As regards the IAF pitching for Avenger-C, here's a news report you might find interesting:

www.ainonline.com

India Eyes the Jet-powered Predator | AIN

Maker is touting strategic ISR capability with new multispectral sensor.
www.ainonline.com www.ainonline.com
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I don't know how some made up scenario is relevant.

GA is pitching their product. Its an absurdly expensive and unproven product at that time. At best they have made some presentations. You have fallen for the PR.
 
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The MQ-9B AEW capability was unveiled last year. GA, along with Saab, plan to demonstrate this capability sometimes later this year, based on what I read on GA's website.

GA-ASI and Saab Will Demonstrate AEW&C on MQ-9B in 2026

This is primarily pitched to the Royal Navy as a successor to the Crowsnest system. Given that we too are on the same boat as the Brits when it comes to shipborne AEW capability, I'd say this is something that the IN top brass should actively explore.
 
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