The Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Army are planning a joint deployment of MQ-9B US-made Predator drones at air bases in Uttar Pradesh's Gorakhpur and Sarsawa to bolster surveillance along the entire China border. These drones will cover the vast expanse from Ladakh in the North to Arunachal Pradesh in the North East. The selection of Gorakhpur and Sarsawa air bases is strategic due to their long runways, ideal for operating long-range and endurance drones capable of remaining airborne for over 36 hours continuously.
The anticipated drone deal, valued at approximately USD 4 billion, is being negotiated at the tri-service level, with the Indian Navy leading discussions with the American side. Out of the planned 31 drones for procurement, 15 will be allocated to the Navy, while the Army and the Air Force will evenly split the remaining 16. Each service intends to deploy eight drones jointly at designated locations.
Efforts are also underway to equip these Predator drones with indigenous weapons systems during assembly in India. Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar has emphasized examining the integration of the drones with Indian weapon systems. With a flight time exceeding 36 hours at an altitude of 40,000 feet, these Predator drones can be armed with Hellfire air-to-ground missiles and smart bombs.
This initiative follows India's prior induction of two drones into the Indian Navy in November 2020, which played a pivotal role during the India-China face-off in the Galwan Valley and other locations in eastern Ladakh. The potential USD 4 billion deal underscores the growing collaboration between India and the US in bolstering India's aerial surveillance capabilities, particularly along its northern borders.
