Competition with China in the sea: Indian Navy will buy drones and underwater surveillance platform, will increase surveillance of Dragon in the Indian Ocean

To counter China’s growing presence in the Indian Ocean region, the Indian Navy has prepared a plan to increase its surveillance capability. Under this plan, the Navy will increase the number of Unmanned Aerial (Drone) and Underwater Surveillance Platforms in the next few years. News agency PTI has given this information quoting people related to this matter.

Approval received in Naval Commanders’ Conference
PTI said in its report, this purchase will be done under the roadmap for unmanned platforms. It was finalized last month at a conference of top naval commanders. The need for procuring new age platforms was discussed in the conference.

Focus on increasing monitoring of important waterways
Another person familiar with the matter said, “Given the recent developments in the Indian Ocean region, the main focus will be on increasing surveillance of strategically important waterways.” He said the Navy wants to enhance its capabilities in the areas of Long Range Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and surveillance.

Indian Navy is interested in buying this US Predator drone. (file photo)

Thrust on purchase of 30 multi-mission armed predator drones
People familiar with the matter said, the Indian Navy is looking to procure 30 multi-mission armed predator drones from the US, which will cost around Rs 22,000 crore. He said the government may clear the deal by March next year. These drones are capable of firing missiles as well as doing surveillance work.

Approval for purchase of MQ-9B long-endurance drone soon
A proposal to acquire MQ-9B long-endurance drones equipped with air-to-surface missiles may also be approved by the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) by next month.

10-10 drones to all the three services
The Indian Navy has pursued this procurement proposal, but even then, each of the three services is likely to get 10 drones each.

Drone able to stay in the air for about 35 hours
The remotely piloted drones manufactured by US Defense Major General Atomics are capable of staying in the air for about 35 hours. These drones can be deployed for multiple missions including intelligence gathering and destroying enemy positions.