SOURCE: AFI
Sputnik, a Russian state-owned news agency, has cast doubt on India’s recent acquisition of 31 MQ-9B High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) from the United States. The deal, valued at over $3 billion, has raised concerns from Sputnik regarding the effectiveness of the drones.
Sputnik points to the recent downing of several MQ-9 variants (not specifically MQ-9B) by Houthi rebels in Yemen as evidence of potential vulnerability. The news agency highlights the loss of nearly six MQ-9 drones within a few weeks, questioning the platform’s survivability in contested environments.
Further criticism revolves around the cost of the drones, with Sputnik suggesting the US may be “disposing of old weapons” similar to their support for Ukraine. Sputnik implies that India might be falling victim to “marketing gimmicks” surrounding the MQ-9B.
India likely views the MQ-9B acquisition as a strategic move to enhance its aerial intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. The Indian military Planners believe the MQ-9B’s advanced features, including potentially stronger defensive measures compared to previous variants, outweigh the risks highlighted by Sputnik. The US may also offer India technical support and training to mitigate the threats posed by sophisticated air defense systems.