Source: TH
Context: The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has approved two major defense deals: the purchase of 31 MQ-9B High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) from General Atomics and the indigenous construction of two nuclear attack submarines (SSNs).
Key Points:
- MQ-9B UAV Deal:
- Quantity and type: Includes 15 Sea Guardians for the Indian Navy and 16 Sky Guardians for the Indian Army and Air Force.
- Cost: The deal is valued at approximately $3.99 billion.
- MRO facility: General Atomics will set up a Global Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in India.
- Indigenous content: Amendments to include indigenous content were approved by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC).
Features of MQ-9B Predator UAV:
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- High-altitude capability: Operates at over 40,000 feet with a top speed of 442 km/h.
- Endurance: Up to 40 hours of continuous flight for prolonged surveillance.
- Payload and armament: Can carry up to 5,670 kg, equipped with four Hellfire missiles and bombs.
- Variants: Two variants include Sky Guardian and Sea Guardian, the latter in use by the Indian Navy since 2020.
- Roles: Engages in surveillance, anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, and electronic warfare.
- Operational flexibility: Capable of automatic take-offs and landings, integrates into civil airspace for real-time situational awareness.
Nuclear Attack Submarines (SSNs):
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- Current status: India has indigenously developed SSBNs (ballistic missile submarines), with the new SSNs being a follow-on project.
- Significance: SSNs have unlimited endurance, limited only by crew, crucial for various naval tasks.
- Previous leases: India has previously leased two SSNs from Russia, with a third expected to join soon.
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