Insight: How India’s Tri-Service MQ-9B $4 billion deal was awarded
22nd October 2024 – 10:02 GMT | by Matty Todhunter in London
In a Tweet by GA-ASI on 29 July 2021, the SeaGuardian was described as the SkyGuardian’s ‘salty sibling’. (Photo: GA-ASI)
After eight years of negotiations, the Indian MoD announced last week that it had signed a contract worth an estimated $4 billion with the US Government to procure 31 MQ-9Bs MALE UAVs from General Atomics (GA-ASI).
The contract award marked the culmination of lengthy negotiations with the US over acquiring GA-ASI drones, with the Indian Navy first enquiring about the MQ-9A Reaper in 2016. In June 2017, the US offered the Indian Navy 22 units of the then-new MQ-9B SeaGuardian aircraft, the successor of the Reaper. In 2018, the Indian Government expanded the infant programme into a tri-service acquisition, bringing in the Indian Army and Indian
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
Read this Article
Get access to this article with a Free Basic Account
Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
2 free store ies per week
Daily news round-up email service
Access to all Decisive Edge email newsletters
Unlimited Access
Access to all our premium news as a Premium News 365 Member. Corporate subscriptions available.
Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
14-day free trial (cancel at any time)
Unlimited access to all published premium news
Author
Matty Todhunter
Matty Todhunter is the Senior UAS Analyst for Shephard Media’s Defence Insight. Before joining Shephard, Matty graduated …
Share to
You may also like
More from Air Warfare
European next-generation rotorcraft programme moves closer to reality through new MoU
Launched in 2020 and managed by NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), the Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) programme aims to replace medium multi-role capabilities ending their life cycle in 2035 and beyond.
Turkey moves one step closer towards Eurofighter Typhoon purchase
Germany, the last country in the programme’s consortium to agree to any potential sale, has now softened its objections as the go-ahead for technical talks has been given.
Northrop Grumman shows off new M230 Chain Gun at AUSA
The development of a dual-feed version of the 30mm M230 LF Chain Gun could allow for rapid selection between different ammunition types for more versatile battlefield engagement.