Rupal Kalebere
The recent approval granted by India’s Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) for the procurement of 30 MQ-9 Reaper (Predator B) drones from the United States holds immense significance for India’s Defence landscape. 15 of these machines will go to the Indian Navy, who have been operating an earlier version on lease for the last few years. This decision, coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming state visit to the United States, signifies a substantial milestone in India’s Defence capabilities. The acquisition of these advanced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has the potential to revolutionize India’s surveillance operations and fortify its national Defence framework. Moreover, it underscores the strategic partnership between India and the United States, demonstrating India’s commitment to bolstering its Defence infrastructure. The approval by the DAC, led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, lays the foundation for further deliberations by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). As high-value acquisitions necessitate final approval from the CCS, this decision reflects the government’s dedication to enhancing India’s Defence capabilities and safeguarding national interests.
The timing of the DAC’s approval for the acquisition of Predator drones, ahead of Prime Minister Modi’s state visit to the United States, carries significant implications. This visit, being his inaugural one to the present administration during his nine-year tenure, highlights the importance of the bilateral relationship between the two countries.
The Indian Navy’s pivotal role in the acquisition of the Predator drones emphasizes its commitment to strengthening India’s maritime surveillance capabilities. By procuring 15 drones, the Navy aims to enhance its surveillance capabilities within its area of responsibility, particularly in the Indian Ocean region (IOR). This move aligns with India’s broader objectives of protecting its maritime interests and maintaining a robust presence in the IOR. The expansion of the UAV fleet enables India to improve its ability to monitor activities, deter potential threats, and safeguard its extensive coastline.
The MQ-9 Reaper (Predator B) drones possess impressive capabilities, fulfilling a range of roles and offering advanced features. With an operational ceiling of up to 50,000 feet and an endurance of over 27 hours, these unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are capable of performing long-duration surveillance missions. They are equipped with advanced sensors and payloads, enabling them to gather real-time intelligence and conduct precise targeting operations. The Predator drones have the ability to carry and deploy air-to-ground missiles, providing a potent offensive capability. Their versatility allows them to monitor vast areas, detect potential threats, and support intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. Furthermore, their integration into India’s Defence arsenal enhances situational awareness, aids in countering emerging security challenges, and strengthens the country’s Defence posture.
While the Predator drones are being procured from the United States, it is noteworthy that the DAC has also sanctioned other Defence deals under the “Make in India” initiative. This highlights India’s aspirations to develop and manufacture advanced Defence technologies domestically. The procurement of indigenous utility helicopters, BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, advanced artillery gun systems, and light helicopters for the Indian Coast Guard demonstrates significant progress towards self-reliance in Defence manufacturing. These indigenous projects align with the government’s vision of “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India) and foster the growth of domestic Defence manufacturing capabilities. On a separate note, the DRDO and Indian Navy successfully demonstrated the TAPAS UAV transfer of command and control from a shore based unit to a sea based platform.
The acquisition of Predator drones underscores the urgency to address India’s evolving security concerns, particularly in the face of regional threats. While the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) is actively working on developing an indigenous armed drone, the complexity and urgency of the situation necessitated the direct acquisition of Predator-B drones. By adopting the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route, the Indian government ensures a streamlined procurement process, upholding transparency and integrity in Defence deals. The advanced capabilities of these drones, including precision targeting, air-to-ground missiles, and surveillance payloads, significantly enhance India’s ability to effectively counter emerging security challenges. The Predator would multiply the national capability for intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaisance missions for the common benefit of the region – which could include tracking and monitoring IUU fishing, marine pollution, narcotics and terrorism traffic, sanctions and keeping a watchful eye on safety and security of the Sea Lines of Communication.
The acquisition of MQ-9 Reaper drones marks a significant milestone in India’s Defence capabilities and sets the stage for future Defence deals. The strategic partnership between India and the United States has witnessed remarkable growth, with Defence collaboration serving as a key pillar. The procurement of advanced UAVs like the Predator drones further solidifies this partnership, creating avenues for information-sharing, interoperability, and joint exercises. It sets a precedent for future collaboration and exchange of Defence technologies between the two countries. As India continues to prioritize Defence modernization and self-reliance, it is likely that such acquisitions will play a pivotal role in strengthening its Defence capabilities and fostering international collaborations.
Such acquisitions bolster the case for India to take on a larger responsibility as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region.
Thanks for an elaborate coverage! Part of the 30 will also go to the Indian Army and AirForce as per reports. But what are the threats that these are to counter? Reapers are hunter-killers flying at heights which are out of the range of anti-aircraft systems and which could have been held by essentially ground based conventional adversaries or Islamic terrorists in Iraq, Syria or Afghanistan etc. Their advanced ISR and pinpoint missile targeting features makes them excellent for taking out terrorist leaders with the least collateral damages. But can they be used in India’s regions? Where the US holds an ambivalent stand to Kashmiri unrest which has evolved into a wide and low resistance level dispersed across part-time civilian-insurgents making it near impossible to differentiate the hard core leaders from the rest? Will their use in the North East states which are currently driven by an anti AFSPA sentiment help or degrade the situation? Can they be used for conventional air battles where they will be shot out of the sky by Chinese missiles or fighters in no time? Using benign ISR on the borders during peace or confrontation is justifiable and acceptable to weaker neighbouring countries which feel threatened by India’s military strength. But using Reapers may well overshoot the comfort threshold, triggering retaliatory action without sufficient reason. The Chinese make no attempt to hide their development activities along the border and use border patrols in large strength openly visible miles away. The advance in E Ladakh in early 2020 was seen and reported by civilians over two months! and was in no way a covert, lightning fast attack to capture territory by surprise. If these activities are needed to be monitored, we can use satellites or low cost observation towers, balloons etc Why exorbitantly costly Reapers?
They may detect IUU fishing, narcotic smugglers and errant trade ships. But can India use their missiles to counter them? Without a physical check of clear evidence? There are many other benign means – satellites, balloons etc to address these challenges in a non-threatening way and if sufficient intel is received, small low level drones or their swarms which can move in quickly to confirm these activities at close ranges of even 10-20 metres and apply minimal punitive action to deter the errant elements.
So I really cant see any utility, leave alone a benefit-to-cost advantage here. In fact it raises the risks of unnecessarily raising the tensions in the region. And then of course is the opportunity cost to the people of India – 3 bn USD can be spent extremely productively for providing basic needs of 400 million poverty trapped Indians – education, health care, drinking water etc etc. Will the tax payers and citizens of India not question this?