Context: MQ-9B SeaGuardian Navy
India has signed a ₹1,943-crore contract with General Atomics, USA, to lease two MQ-9B SeaGuardian HALE RPAS for 30 months, strengthening the Indian Navy’s Maritime Domain Awareness in the Indian Ocean Region.
1. What is MQ-9B SeaGuardian?
It is a High-Altitude Long-Endurance remotely piloted unmanned aircraft designed primarily for persistent maritime surveillance.
It provides long-duration Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance over vast ocean areas.
It is equipped with advanced maritime sensors, radar and electro-optical/infrared systems.
2. Key Capabilities
Persistent surveillance:
Monitors large maritime areas for prolonged periods.
Maritime ISR:
Tracks vessels and suspicious maritime activity.
Anti-Submarine Warfare:
Can support submarine detection using specialised sensors and sonobuoys.
Long-range coverage:
Enhances surveillance beyond the reach of conventional short-endurance platforms.
3. Why It Matters for India
It strengthens Maritime Domain Awareness across the Indian Ocean.
It helps monitor Sea Lines of Communication and maritime traffic.
It complements manned platforms such as the P-8I.
It provides additional surveillance capacity on India’s eastern and western maritime fronts.
It is useful against emerging sub-surface and maritime security threats.
4. India’s MQ-9B Programme
India signed a 2024 deal worth about $3.5 billion for 31 MQ-9B HALE RPAS for the armed forces.
The Navy currently operates two MQ-9A systems on lease.
The new lease will raise its HALE RPAS inventory to four during the transition.
A global Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facility is planned in India, with some components to be sourced domestically.
Prelims Link
Which of the following items of defence hardware is/are manufactured in India?
- Su-30 MKI Fighter Jets
- T-90 MK-III Tanks
- Akula Class Submarine
Options:
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 1 and 3
(c) 1 only
(d) 2 only
