US has assured the seamless integration of the armed drones MQ-9B Sea Guardian in the Indian armed forces. New Delhi had, in October 2024, inked a contract with the US Government for 31 of these armed drones known by its popular name ‘Predator’.
Deliveries are expected to start in January 2029. Drones are used widely for surveillance and to attack targets with pinpoint precision.
US Air Force Chief General Kenneth Wilsbach, at a meeting with Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, in the US, welcomed India’s procurement of MQ-9B armed drones.
The US Air Force said, “General Wilsbach emphasised the US Air Force commitment to ensuring the Indian Armed Forces can seamlessly and effectively employ the platform (Predator) upon delivery.”
The IAF Chief was also shown ‘full-spectrum MQ-9 operations’, the US Air Force said on Saturday.
In October 2024, the Ministry of Defence had inked a contract with the US Government for the drones and a separate contract with drone maker General Atomics for performance-based logistics and for maintenance, repair & overhaul in India. These are valued at almost $ 4 Billion.
The MQ-9B operates at altitudes of over 40,000 feet, has an endurance of up to 40 hours in continuous flight, and has features such as automatic take-off and landing, along with encrypted communications and secure GPS. Its armament payload includes missiles and small-diameter bombs. It has advanced signals intelligence systems, electro-optical, infrared sensors and synthetic aperture radar for surveillance.
MQ-9B offers persistent and long-range surveillance and monitoring capabilities.
Separately, the Indian Air Force described the meeting of Air Chief Marshal Singh and General Wilsbach, saying the two chiefs discussed enhancing interoperability of the forces, conducting joint training, capability development and fostering shared learning.
The visit also included the IAF Chief’s engagements at Peterson Space Force Base and Nellis Air Force Base, along with a familiarisation flight in an F-15EX fighter jet. Ironically, the Iranians had shot down an F-15E jet during the conflict.
Earlier, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh received a full honours arrival at US Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling and met with Secretary of the US Air Force Troy Meink, the US Air Force said.
During the meetings, Department of the Air Force senior leaders emphasised the priority the US places on its defence partnership with India, highlighting its central role in ensuring a free, open, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
General Wilsbach underscored the U.S. Air Force’s readiness to further support Indian Air Force modernisation efforts, noting the mutual benefits of pursuing these goals through defence industrial collaboration.
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