Indian Navy deploys its MQ-9B Sea Guardian UAV near China border in Uttarakhand for surveillance

Source : Indian Defence Updates (IDU)

MQ-9B Sea Guardian UAV

Upon the request of Indian Air Force and Indian Army, the Indian Navy has deployed its General Atomics MQ-9B Sea Guardian drone in the Northern sector in the state of Uttarakhand along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) for intelligence gathering and surveillance to keep a close watch over Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) movements along the border after the recent clash in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh on 9^th December.

A MQ-9 reaper UAV is flying near LAC in uttarakhand @alpha_defense @alpha_defense @VinodDX9 @raflanker pic.twitter.com/BK7hCrc77S

— Anitya (@Anitya15865934) December 15, 2022

Talks are underway to sort out certain issues relating to the cost, weapons package and technology sharing to procure around 20-30 MQ-9B drones for the three Indian Armed Forces.

Two Indian Navy MQ-9B drones under lease has recently completed 10,000 flying hours, within a very short timespan which impressed the Indian Navy officials and reduced the burden of Boeing P-8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft.