India Mulls Procurement Of 31 MQ-9B, 155 Medium Altitude UAVs For Three Services; Long Delayed 'Project Cheetah' Likely To Be Approved

A study organised by the Department of Military Affairs (DMA) has recommended the procurement of 31 US-made MQ-9B Guardian armed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and an additional 155 medium altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAVs for the three services.

According to a report by The Hindu, a study was undertaken by a tri-services team to identify the number of UAVs to be procured for the three services, with the aim of better optimising resource allocation and meeting requirements.

The first study was completed in the August-September timeframe and recommended acquiring 155 MALE UAVs, in addition to the 31 MQ-9B Sea and Sky Guardian UAVs. An agreement for the MQ-9Bs was signed in June 2023 during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the United States.

Just last month, prior to the G-20 Summit, the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) issued a letter of request (LoR) to the US government for the 31 MQ-9Bs, expected to cost approximately $3.072 billion, as well.

According to the report, a second study is also planned, with the terms of reference currently being finalised by the DMA. It is expected to commence within the next month or two.

“The first study was conducted in August-September and the report has been finalised. For the second study, the Terms of Reference are currently being finalised and the study is expected to begin in a month of two,” the report stated.

Project Cheetah

However, Project Cheetah — a project aimed at weaponising, upgrading, and incorporating satellite communication systems — on hundreds of Israeli Heron drones already in operation within the forces, valued at $21,000 crore, has been delayed.

Following the completion of the second study, this project is likely to receive approval, the report stated.

Notably, India deployed four Heron Mk-2 drones at a forward airbase in Jammu and Kashmir just two months ago (in August).

These state-of-the-art drones have the capability to conduct surveillance along both the China and Pakistan borders in a single sortie, signifying a significant advancement in the Indian Air Force's intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities.