A Closer Look at MQ-9B Armed Drones

The MQ-9B drone is a variant of the well-known MQ-9 “Reaper”, and it comes in two versions - SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian.

• The MQ-9B drone is equipped with nine hardpoints that can carry sensors, laser-guided bombs, and air-to-ground missiles.
• The drone boasts an impressive endurance of over 27 hours and can operate at an altitude of up to 50,000 ft. It has a payload capacity of 3,850-pound (1,746 kg).
• The MQ-9B drone can carry multiple payloads including Electro-optical/Infrared (EO/IR), Lynx, Multi-mode Radar, multi-mode maritime surveillance radar, Electronic Support Measures (ESM), laser designators, and a variety of weapons and payload packages.
• The Sea Guardian variant of the drone is primarily used for maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, and over-the-horizon targeting.

The Acquisition Process

In June 2023, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) under the leadership of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved a proposal to acquire a total of 31 drones for tri-service use.

• The acquisition includes 15 MQ9B Sea Guardians and 16 Sky Guardian drones.
• The Sea Guardian drones will be used for maritime surveillance and domain awareness, while the Sky Guardian drones will be tasked with guarding our land frontiers.
• The total cost of this acquisition is pegged at $3 billion. The procurement will be made through US foreign military sales or the government-to-government route.
• The acquisition will be carried out in phases, starting with the initial absorption of technology. The first consignment will consist of 10 drones, with weapons and missiles to be procured at a later stage.
• The deal also includes measures for localization to ensure the compatibility of Indian-built munitions.
• Bombs and missiles for the drones will be procured in the later stages of the deal, as not all drones need to be armed.
• India already operates two sea guardian drones on lease. The Indian Navy has expressed satisfaction with the performance of these drones, which provide real-time maritime domain awareness from Southeast Asia to Africa.