Try GOLD - Free
MORE TEETH TO INDIAN OFFENSIVE AIR POWER
SP’s Aviation
|Issue 6, 2023
The Acquisition of MQ-9B RPAs from the US significantly enhances India’s Defence with Advanced Surveillance and Strike Capabilities

THE OUTCOME OF THE RECENT STATE VISIT OF PRIME MINISTER Narendra Modi to the US has been path breaking. The visit has been extraordinarily successful with several substantive outcomes relating to semiconductors, defence acquisitions, access to critical technology and the Artemis Accord for space cooperation. Both countries have agreed on Technology and defence partnerships among others. In this new chapter on far reaching defence partnership, key takeaways have been the deal to co-produce GE’s F414 combat aircraft engines in India and the deal to procure MQ-9B UAVs. These UAVs will increase India’s intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.
India would soon be joining the elite club of other nations operating the MQ-9B including the US Air Force, US Department of Homeland Security, NASA, the Royal Air Force, the Italian Air Force, the French Air Force and the Spanish Air Force.
The modalities of acquisition were cleared ahead of Modi’s visit on June 15, 2023 by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), accordingly the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for acquisition of 31 MQ-9B (15 SeaGuardian and 16 SkyGuardian) High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) UAV from the US based General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) through Foreign Military Sale (FMS) route, at an estimated cost of around $3.1 billion (₹25,000 crore). The AoN included 15 UAVs for the Indian Navy (IN) and eight each for the Indian Army (IA) and the Indian Air Force (IAF). The case for acquisition of HALE class of UAV is being progressed by the Indian Navy as a lead service while the IAF is the lead service for procurement of MALE class of UAVs.
OPERATIONAL EXPLOITATION GLOBALLY
This story is from the Issue 6, 2023 edition of SP’s Aviation.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM SP’s Aviation

SP’s Aviation
ROLLS-ROYCE OPENS ITS LARGEST GLOBAL CAPABILITY CENTRE IN BENGALURU
Rolls-Royce has inaugurated its largest Global Capability and Innovation Centre (GCC) at Manyata Embassy Business Park in Bengaluru, further strengthening its long-term presence in India.
1 min
Issue 9, 2025

SP’s Aviation
MOD SIGNS CONTRACT FOR PROCUREMENT OF 97 LCA MKIA AIRCRAFT
Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for procurement of 97 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A, including 68 fighters and 29 twin seaters, along with associated equipment, for Indian Air Force, at a cost of over 62,370 crore (excluding taxes), on September 25, 2025.
1 min
Issue 9, 2025

SP’s Aviation
PILATUS HANDS OVER THE FIRST PC-12 PRO
Following on from the launch of the new model in spring 2025, the very first customer, Dion Weisler, recently took delivery of his brand-new aircraft and personally flew it home from Switzerland to Australia.
1 min
Issue 9, 2025

SP’s Aviation
“IAF - A SELF-ASSURED, CAPABLE AND GLOBALLY COMPETITIVE AEROSPACE POWER
On the occasion of the 93rd Indian Air Force Day, Air Chief Marshal A. P. Singh, Chief of the Air Staff, engaged in an in-depth conversation with Jayant Baranwal, Editor-in-Chief of SP's Aviation, and shared his insights on specific issues concerning the Indian Air Force
8 mins
Issue 9, 2025

SP’s Aviation
SWEDEN ORDERS FOUR EMBRAER C-390 MILLENNIUM
Sweden acquired four C-390 Millennium multi-mission aircraft from Embraer.
1 min
Issue 9, 2025

SP’s Aviation
FROM BRAZIL TO BHARAT: EMBRAER'S COMMITMENT TO INDIA'S AIR POWER
Currently, nearly 50 Embraer aircraft — spanning 11 different types — operate in India across defense, commercial, and business aviation sectors. All are supported by Embraer's established service and support network in the country
3 mins
Issue 9, 2025
SP’s Aviation
CHARIOTS OF THE BATTLEFIELD – COMBAT HELICOPTERS
As warfare enters the era of multi-domain operations, combat helicopters are evolving with artificial intelligence, stealth, and manned-unmanned teaming, ensuring they remain relevant and strategically decisive in the battles of the future
7 mins
Issue 9, 2025

SP’s Aviation
INDIAN AIR FORCE – POST OPERATION SINDOOR
Operation Sindoor highlighted the evolving nature of modern warfare, underlining the need for doctrinal shifts and operational reforms. The focus now lies on integrating new technologies, strengthening joint capabilities, and adapting strategies to ensure readiness for future multi-domain challenges.
6 mins
Issue 9, 2025

SP’s Aviation
IAF - TARGET '42 SQUADRONS'
While the IAF's roadmap through Tejas Mk-1A / Mk-2, MRFA, and AMCA is conceptually sound, blending indigenous development with foreign procurement to manage risk and speed, the implementation may drag beyond the timeline. What is to be done?
5 mins
Issue 9, 2025

SP’s Aviation
THE IAF'S MIG-21: FAREWELL TO A LEGEND
For over three decades, from the 1970s to the 2000s, the MiG-21 was the backbone of the IAF, even as more advanced jets like the Mirage 2000, the MiG-29 and the Su-30 MKI were acquired
5 mins
Issue 9, 2025
Translate
Change font size