Lalit Dubey
ONE of the key takeaways from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent trip to the United States was the deal for the procurement of ‘Reaper’ drones. The cuttingedge technology would significantly augment intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities of the Indian armed forces American defence contractor General Atomics makes the MQ-9 Reaper drone, which is also known as the Predator-B drone and is an unmanned aerial vehicle. It is controlled from a remote location, thus eliminating chances of harm to human (pilot) life.
As a result of the India-US defence deal, the Navy will get the SeaGuardian drones, while the Army and the Indian Air Force will get the land version, called SkyGuardian.
Assembled in India
A joint statement issued on the deal said, “President Biden and Prime Minister Modi welcomed India’s plans to procure General Atomics MQ-9B HALE (high altitude long endurance) UAVs. The MQ-9Bs, which will be assembled in India, will enhance the ISR capabilities of India’s armed forces across domains.”
The acquisition of these drones would lend teeth to aggressive patrolling and strike power at the huge maritime and land boundary India shares with its two major adversaries, China and Pakistan.
Such areas require constant monitoring to safeguard national security interests, where these drones can help India conduct surveillance and also strike any potential threats.
Allegations rebutted
However, even before the formality for acquisition could begin, questions were raised about certain purported contents in the deal. Such allegations were raised even at the time of the acquisition of the Rafale fighter aircrafts. Those accusations faded away soon after.
“Some speculative reports emerged in sections of social media referring to the price and other terms of purchase. These are uncalled for, have ulterior motives and aimed at derailing the due acquisition process,” the Defence Ministry said in a statement.
“Price and other terms & conditions of the purchase are yet to be finalised and subject to negotiations. In this regard, all are requ ested not to spread fake news/misinformation which can have serious impact on the morale of the Armed Forces and adversely impact the acquisition process,” it added.
DAC acceptance
The statement stated that on June 15, Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) accorded the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for acquisition of 31 MQ-9B (16 Sky Guardian and 15 Sea Guardian) High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) for Tri-Services from the USA through Foreign Military Sale (FMS) route.
“The AoN included the number of UAVs to be procured along with associated equipment,” it said. It further clarified that the AoN noted the estimated cost of $3,072 million provided by the US Government. “However, price will be negotiated once policy approval of the US Government is received,” the ministry release added
Artemis accords
A booster for space industry
NEW DELHI: India has decided to join the Artemis Accords, which brings likeminded countries together on civil space exploration; and NASA and ISRO have agreed to a joint mission to the International Space Station (ISS), in 2024.
The signing of new agreements between the two national space agencies was announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to the US. “India joining the Artemis Accords tie in well with the country’s new Space Policy 2023 and will greatly boost its space industry,” said an ISRO official.
The Artemis Accords lay out guidelines for cooperation between civil space agencies and governments regarding the use of space, including the Moon, Mars, comets, and asteroids, to improve operational safety, lessen the uncertainty, and support its beneficial and sustainable use for peaceful purposes.
The Accords were initially signed on October 13, 2020, by the United States, Australia, Canada, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. India becomes the agreement’s 27th signatory in June 2023.
India’s capabilities in space affairs significantly outshine its emerging know-how in other areas and compete with the best in the world, which is why space deserves to be treated as a major vertical in its own right.
