India is poised to enhance its surveillance and strike capabilities significantly through the strategic deployment of 31 MQ-9B Predator drones procured from the United States.
Valued at approximately $4 billion, these advanced drones will find their base in the states of Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh, with initial deliveries expected by the close of 2026.
The Indian Navy will receive 15 MQ-9B Predators, while the Indian Army and Indian Air Force (IAF) will each obtain eight. This acquisition supplements the Navy’s existing fleet of two leased Sea Guardian drones, which have proven their effectiveness in reconnaissance tasks. The newly acquired drones will operate from INS Rajali in Arakkonam, Tamil Nadu. Meanwhile, the Army and IAF are likely to station their Predators in Gorakhpur and Sarsawa, with four drones allocated to each base. Training for personnel is anticipated to commence in the United States ahead of the initial deliveries.
Manufactured by General Atomics, the MQ-9B is widely utilized by the US Air Force and NATO allies. With an impressive range of 1,800 km, extended endurance, and capability to fly at altitudes of 50,000 feet, these drones will significantly enhance India’s maritime and border surveillance capabilities. Particularly, the Sea Guardians will play a pivotal role in monitoring the Indian Ocean, while the land-based drones will reinforce surveillance along the borders with Pakistan and China.
Crucially, the MQ-9B is not limited to surveillance missions alone. Armed with AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-surface missiles and other munitions, it possesses the capability to engage both ground and aerial targets, thereby adding a new dimension to India’s defense posture.
The strategic deployment of MQ-9B Predator drones marks a substantial upgrade to India’s military capabilities. These advanced systems will strengthen surveillance, reconnaissance, and strike operations, thus augmenting India’s capacity to safeguard its maritime and land borders.
