By Kamal Shah
With India giving drone technology a very high priority and the Indian Navy looking at investing in Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) options, the stage seems set for the perfect choice. After having had a successful experience with General Atomics MQ-9B, its potential procurement seems logical to bolster the Navy’s sea power. Kamal Shah, Editorial Director, Indian Aerospace & Defence, talks to Dr Vivek Lall, Chief Executive, General Atomics Global Corporation for an in-depth view of the MQ-9B and the role it can play in enhancing India’s naval capabilities and how ready the global corporation is to work with India on this and other projects.
Q. Contrary to a couple of media reports published last month about the Indian Navy putting the procurement project of MQ-9B Drones on hold, IA&D has learnt from the top sources in the Naval Headquarters that the navy needs unmanned aircraft from General Atomics as soon as possible and the project is progressing well. Your reaction?
Ans: General Atomics remains ready to support the needs of our partners in India with our industry-leading unmanned aircraft. We have engaged extensively to understand the requirements of the Indian military and government. The complete MQ-9B system exceeds the operational requirements, provides an unmatched return on investment for the Indian people and can lead to fruitful cooperation with the Indian Unmanned Aircraft Industry. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) partners with our customers for the life of the aircraft. We look forward to supporting India’s long-term goal of preeminence in the future of unmanned aircraft.
Q. What kind of edge would General Atomics UAS provide to the Indian Armed Forces in light of ongoing India-China tensions at the Line of Actual Control? On land and in the Indian Ocean.
Ans: General Atomics’ aircraft have the multi-domain capability, so they’re ready to support India’s strategic security and defence anywhere over land and sea. Our remotely piloted aircraft provides multi-domain operations in support of land, maritime surveillance, Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Anti-Surface Warfare (ASUW), Strike, Electronic Warfare (EW) roles and expeditionary roles. In addition, the ability of the MQ-9B to network with other air, sea, land and space systems creates an exceptional opportunity to expand employment options. Our aircraft are ready to operate virtually anywhere India’s forces need it, performing many different missions, and integrating with other UAS and other units however the authorities wish to use them.
Q. How has been the response and effective utilisation of two non-weaponised MQ-9B UAS on lease with the Indian Navy?
Ans: I recommend you consult the Indian Navy for specifics about their utilisation of our MQ-9B aircraft so far, but I can tell you that the MQ-9B delivers unsurpassed endurance – capable of flying more than 40 consecutive hours depending on its configuration – and surveillance capability that includes advanced maritime Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR). One reason the SeaGuardian model of MQ-9B is invaluable for naval and maritime use is that it can both provide wide-area surveillance over big sections of ocean surface and also provide highly detailed, pinpoint intelligence about individual areas of interest or specific vessels.
Both the MQ-9B SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian deliver adverse-weather capability – with lightning protection, a damage-tolerant airframe, and a de-icing system – and are built for compliance with STANAG-4671 (NATO airworthiness standard for UAS). More than anything, MQ-9B is a tool that provides perpetual intelligence that will enhance India’s security.
Q. How superior and different are General Atomics MQ-9B drones as compared to other available drones, and the set of drones Indian Armed Forces already have?
Ans: When you select General Atomics, you’re working with the undisputed leader in UAS technology. GA has delivered more than 1,000 aircraft in its 30-year history, which have flown in excess of seven million flight hours. Working with a company with that kind of experience and knowledge of UAS and their capabilities is game-changing and without peer. In particular, the MQ-9B is simply the finest and most advanced aircraft of its kind anywhere in the world – it’s the flagship of some of the most advanced air forces in the world. When a government selects MQ-9B it is getting the best.
Q. Once the Indian Ministry of Defence and armed forces place orders, how soon could General Atomics start delivering the UAS?
Ans: We’ll work with the Indian Armed Forces to figure out the delivery plan as part of the procurement process. When India needed our aircraft capability quickly, we were able to arrange a lease and quickly deliver two MQ-9Bs. We work with our customers to ensure they have what they need when they need it. One advantage of selecting a proven and existing system is that the development stage of the work is complete – a government doesn’t need to go out and try to invent anything. It can get a system that exists now and is in production today.
Q. What other countries have selected MQ-9B?
Ans: There has been significant interest in demand for MQ-9B throughout the world. The United Kingdom Ministry of Defence selected MQ-9B SkyGuardian for its MQ-9B Protector program, and last year concluded the production contract for deliveries to the Royal Air Force (RAF). In addition, the Belgian Ministry of Defence signed a contract for SkyGuardian. We’re in advanced discussions with many other countries.
Q. Does General Atomics provide required training for the Indian Armed Forces?
Ans: We provide comprehensive support for our aircraft, which includes flight training. We’ll work with the Indian Airforce (IAF) to get its personnel trained and ready to operate its aircraft.
Q. Beyond military applications, can these UAS provide support for other non-military missions?
Ans: MQ-9B has been designed from the ground up to operate in civil airspace, which enables it to perform missions such as border patrol, search and rescue, fire detection and firefighting support, maritime patrol, and resource monitoring missions. MQ-9B is provisioned with a Detect and Avoid System (DAAS) to enhance safety of operations in civil and military airspace. There is no shortage of roles these aircraft can perform across a government’s many responsibilities – this includes everything from disaster recovery to monitoring wildlife. If you’re curious you can read more about the broader uses for MQ-9B here.
