The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has committed to acquiring up to 31 medium-altitude long endurance (MALE) uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) from the United States to enhance the long range intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces, the ministry announced on its social media account on 15 October.
The contract will be fulfilled by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) and comprises a mix of MQ-9B SkyGuardian/SeaGuardian UAVs. The MoD had earlier announced that it was looking to acquire 16 SkyGuardians – eight each for the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force – and 15 SeaGuardians for the Indian Navy.
The MoD also highlighted that it had also signed a separate contract with GA-ASI to procure logistics and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services for the 31 MQ-9B UAVs.
The MoD did not disclose further details of the contract, although state-run television channels reported that it is worth approximately US$3.7 billion. When delivered, the UAVs are expected to be based at various air force and naval facilities in the northern, western, and southern states of India.
Besides India, GA-ASI has secured other contracts for its MQ-9B platform in East Asia.
In August 2023, the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) agreed to acquire two more SeaGuardian UAVs with delivery expected in 2025. The JCG has been operating the UAV type since 2022, undertaking high-profile missions such as the G7 Summit in Hiroshima in May 2023, search and rescue missions in the aftermath of the Noto Peninsula Earthquake in January 2024, as well as Maritime Wide Area Search (MWAS) operations over the Sea of Japan and the Pacific Ocean since October 2022.
Taiwan has also ordered a batch of four SeaGuardian UAVs along with their associated ground control stations and support, with deliveries expected to occur in 2026 and 2027.
by Jr Ng
