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

Does anyone remember when this discussion started? It feels like the deal closed rather quickly compared to others.
 
 
  • Like
Reactions: RISING SUN, YoungWolf, South block and 2 others
So it's confirmed. We're getting SDB. This is the third US bomb we've acquired in recent years, after the WCMD submunitions dispenser and more recently, JDAMs. iirc the IAF also wants a longer range missile than Hellfire for stand-off attacks which is supposedly still under development.

Wonder if the US would allow the integration of Indian munitions like Helina or ULPGM?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rajput Lion
Speedster1 said:
HT's Shishir Gupta reports that India's MQ-9B weapons fit wil include GBU-39B SDBs and a 'rotary canon' of unknown make. If the news about SDB is true, it could possibly make it to the LCA Mk1A, Mk2 and AMCA, maybe even the Rafale. The old Paveway LGBs are probably up for replacement anyway.

<SNIP> The acquisition of 31 Predator drones armed with Hellfire missiles, GBU-39B precision-guided bombs and high-fire rotary cannon, was once again spearheaded by the Indian Navy. <SNIP>

Click to expand...

There was talk of integrating JDAMs on LCA, no clue where we are on that, but the SDB family is far more desirable.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Speedster1

 
  • Like
Reactions: Ironhide, Sathya, RISING SUN and 6 others
Speedster1 said:
SIPRI shows that JDAMs are under negotiation/on order for the LCA. We really are buying an eclectic mix of munitions even as a range of indigenous ones is starting to come online!
Click to expand...

I don't think they have been ordered, or we would have seen a DSCA release about it.
 

Deliveries of the drones will begin in four years and will be completed within six years under a government-to-government agreement, cleared by the Prime Minister-led Cabinet Committee on Security
 
Sathya said:

MSN

www.msn.com

Deliveries of the drones will begin in four years and will be completed within six years under a government-to-government agreement, cleared by the Prime Minister-led Cabinet Committee on Security
Click to expand...
Check the recent posts in this thread.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sathya
Internet chatter some time back indicated Chinese used EW to take control over our drones in the Eastern sector and forced some to land.

Assuming those reports were true, what could have been the cause? COTS components from China based suppliers?

What are the odds they couldn't do the same to a $30M MQ-9B?
 
  • Haha
Reactions: Ashwin
Speedster1 said:
Internet chatter some time back indicated Chinese used EW to take control over our drones in the Eastern sector and forced some to land.

Assuming those reports were true, what could have been the cause? COTS components from China based suppliers?

What are the odds they couldn't do the same to a $30M MQ-9B?
Click to expand...
If the Chinese actually undertook something like that they're bigger fools than I thought they were. Who'd ever forewarn the enemy through such measures especially if you're scheduled to fight a war with them ?
 
  • Like
Reactions: suryakiran
_Anonymous_ said:
If the Chinese actually undertook something like that they're bigger fools than I thought they were. Who'd ever forewarn the enemy through such measures especially if you're scheduled to fight a war with them ?
Click to expand...

Psyops, of course. They probably have other pressure points for use against us during war. We probably have some surprises of our own.
 
Speedster1 said:
Internet chatter some time back indicated Chinese used EW to take control over our drones in the Eastern sector and forced some to land.

Assuming those reports were true, what could have been the cause? COTS components from China based suppliers?

What are the odds they couldn't do the same to a $30M MQ-9B?
Click to expand...

I read as hacking the computers ik n fighters like Su 30 mki.

And Rafale was designed to withstand EMP blast ..

And India wanted hack proof platforms thereafter.

About 5-6 years back, during Parikrama era.
 
BMD said:

India’s MQ-9B buy from the US caps fruitless push for homemade drone

Defense leaders in News Delhi believe their drone needs are too urgent to wait for domestic developments that have yet to mature.
www.defensenews.com
Click to expand...
The MQ-9B is a HALE platform whereas the Tapas BH-201 is a MALE platform.
There is a sea of difference between both platforms and their respective capabilities, one cannot replace the other.
Also the number 31 is barely enough for India's ISR requirements and the MQ-9B will be complemented by a cheaper, less capable MALE platform, either of foreign origin/licensed built or Indigenous in greater numbers.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Hydra, Ironhide, YoungWolf and 3 others
 
  • Like
Reactions: YoungWolf, _Anonymous_, Fatalis and 1 other person
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom