SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Indian Military plans to procure advanced MQ-9B drones are being spearheaded by Indian Navy and soon a deal for which head for a conclusion as tri-service after reassessment by a panel comprised of representatives from all three military branches agreed to procure 18 units instead of 30 units with six each while Naval variant will be outfitted with antisubmarine warfare capabilities.
The Navy is looking to procure two modular pods that are on offer that will broaden its anti-submarine warfare capabilities in efforts to hunt for Chinese submarines in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Pneumatic Dispenser Pod, which is a 10-tube dispenser pod can dispense AN/SSQ-36B, AN/SSQ-62F Directional Command Activated Sonobuoy Systems (DICASS) or AN/SSQ-53G Directional Frequency Analysis and Recording (DIFAR) buoys to detect underwater objects and gather acoustic data which will help ease the burden on manned P-8I maritime patrol aircraft.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) is also offering Maritime Radar which has an Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar mode and can also carry an Automatic Identification System receiver and optical and infrared video cameras. This comprehensive array of sensors provides real-time detection and identification of surface vessels over thousands of square nautical miles.
General Atomics is offering 3 more modular pods that will interest the Indian Army and Indian Air force more since are planning to procure a land-attack variant to counter a more assertive Chinese stance on the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
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