Congress: Government sources responded to inquiries from Congress over the MQ9B drone purchase by outlining the details of knowledge transfer, stressing a comparison of deals similar to those carried out by the United States, and emphasising the favourable impact on domestic manufacturing capabilities.
DRDO to leverage technology transfer for domestic development of RPAS
Multi-remotely piloted aircraft, simultaneous flight and ground operations, safe integration of unmanned aircraft in populated airspace, centralised mission intelligence station design, and multi-sensor data fusion techniques for actionable intelligence, sensors, and weapons integration on unmanned platforms are all part of the technology. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will benefit from the technology transfer and have a platform to design and develop Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) domestically.
India’s domestic production and maintenance plans for MQ-9B
India will manufacture 21 of the 31 High Altitude Long Endurance Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems domestically to promote domestic industry. In collaboration with the supplier General Atomics, key parts and subsystems such the engines, radar processor units, landing gear, titanium forgings, avionics, sensors, and software would be produced and purchased from Indian firms. There will be a depot-level Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility built in India. All MQ-9B drone parts will be repaired and maintained at this facility, ensuring self-sufficiency and speeding up turnaround. Additionally, India will establish the Sea Guardian Global Sustainment Hub (SGSS) to provide ongoing maintenance for more than 60 Sea Guardian drones. The maintenance and support services for the Sea Guardian drones flying in the Asia-Pacific region would be provided by this base in India, generating extra money for the nation.
Indian procurement of MQ-9B drones at a significantly lower cost compared to other nations
According to sources, the price of the MQ-9B in India is far less than it is in other nations. India’s anticipated cost for one MQ-9B drone is about Rs 812 crore, compared to the average price of about Rs 1275 crore in other countries. The price comprises the cost of the aircraft, sensor systems, armaments, ground control stations, satellite and C-Band ground data terminals, ground handling equipment, replacement parts, and logistics support for the contractors. The preparation and approval procedure for the Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) will decide the finalised expenses.
Congress’ price estimation for US Air Force MQ9A drones outdated
According to sources, the 56.5 MUSD price tag given by Congress for the US Air Force MQ9A drones is no longer valid because it refers to an earlier model from 2011. These assets are now being upgraded by the US Air Force to MQ-9B level capability. Sources outlined the positives, saying that the agreement offers India a number of advantages. It will encourage the growth of a cutting-edge Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) ecosystem, creating job opportunities and income. With this purchase agreement, India is significantly advancing its technological know-how and bolstering its defence capabilities.
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