인도, MQ-9B UAV 31대 도입 FMS 승인받음

[위종민]

미국이 2월 1일 인도에 MQ-9B 시 가디언 31대, 헬파이어 170발, GBU-39B/B 소구경폭탄 310발 등을 포함한 장비들의 FMS 판매허가를 내줬습니다. 금액은 39억 9천만 달러네요. 육군과 공군이 8대를, 해군이 16대를 도입할 예정이라고 합니다. 2020년 11월 히말라야에서 인도군과 중국군이 충돌한 뒤 2대의 시 가디언은 임차한 바 있고, 제네럴 아토믹스 사에 따르면 2년 동안 12,000시간 이상 운용됐었다고 하네요. 

DSCA의 FMS 페이지가 작년 11월 이래로 RSS가 작동을 안 해서 여러 모로 불편합니다 ㅎㅎ 

https://news.usni.org/2024/02/01/u-s-approves-potential-3-9b-mq-9b-uav-sale-to-india

U.S. Approves Potential $3.9B MQ-9B UAV Sale to India

AARON-MATTHEW LARIOSA

FEBRUARY 1, 2024 6:43 PM

An MQ-9 Sea Guardian unmanned maritime surveillance aircraft system flies over the Pacific Ocean during U.S. Pacific Fleet’s Unmanned Systems Integrated Battle Problem (UxS IBP) 21, April 21. UxS IBP 21 integrates manned and unmanned capabilities into challenging operational scenarios to generate warfighting advantages. US Navy Photo

The State Department greenlit a potential $3.9 billion deal of General Atomics MQ-9B drones to India today, marking the latest move between Washington and New Delhi as the two strengthen their defense and security cooperation.

In its notification to Congress, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said the proposed sale “will improve India’s capability to meet current and future threats by enabling unmanned surveillance and reconnaissance patrols in sea lanes of operation” and help “strengthen the U.S.-Indian strategic relationship.”

The proposed package for the Indian military includes 31 SkyGuardian unmanned aerial vehicles, 310 Small Diameter Bombs and 170 Hellfire missiles. Associated radars and anti-submarine equipment for the maritime-focused SeaGuardian variant, a derivative of the SkyGuardian, were also included.

Last June, the Indian Ministry of Defence approved an Acceptance of Necessity for acquiring the American drones for a High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) tri-service requirement. Between the Indian military branches, the Indian Army and Air Force will receive eight SkyGuardians each while the Indian Navy will take 16 SeaGuardians.

India previously leased two SeaGuardian drones in November 2020, following a violent clash in the Himalayas between Indian and Chinese forces that saw multiple dead, wounded and captured on both sides. According to General Atomics, within two years the drones have tallyed up over 12,000 operational hours in Indian service.

From high-altitude warfare kits for troops in the disputed Ladakh region to P-8I Poseidon for maintaining maritime domain awareness in the Indian Ocean Region, India has bolstered its imports of American-made equipment. Last year, Washington and New Delhi agreed to co-produce fighter jet engines and Stryker armored vehicles.

Amid the U.S. Navy’s call to seek foreign yards for repairs and maintenance of forward-based assets in the Indo-Pacific, Indian shipbuilders have stepped up in several agreements to allow the upkeep of American vessels. Mazgaon Dock Shipbuilders, Ltd, one of India’s largest yards, signed a Master Ship Repair Agreement in last September.

American capabilities in Indian service have been deployed to monitor the ongoing events in the Red Sea. The Indian Navy’s SeaGuardian drones and Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft were reportedly involved in the recapture of the hijacked MV Lila Norfolk in December.

Related

https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/major-arms-sales/india-mq-9b-remotely-piloted-aircraft

INDIA – MQ-9B REMOTELY PILOTED AIRCRAFT

PDF Version

Press Release - India 24-07 CN v3.pdf

Media/Public Contact

pm-cpa@state.gov

Transmittal No

24-07

WASHINGTON, February 1, 2024 - The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of India of MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $3.99 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

The Government of India has requested to buy thirty-one (31) MQ-9B Sky Guardian aircraft; one hundred sixty-one (161) Embedded Global Positioning & Inertial Navigation Systems (EGIs); thirty-five (35) L3 Rio Grande Communications Intelligence Sensor Suites; one hundred seventy (170) AGM-114R Hellfire missiles; sixteen (16) M36E9 Hellfire Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM); three hundred ten (310) GBU-39B/B Laser Small Diameter Bombs (LSDB); and eight (8) GBU-39B/B LSDB Guided Test Vehicles (GTVs) with live fuzes. Also included are Certifiable Ground Control Stations; TPE-331-10-GD engines; M299 Hellfire missile launchers; KIV-77 cryptographic appliques and other Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) equipment; KOR-24A Small Tactical Terminals (STT); AN/SSQ-62F, AN/SSQ-53G, and AN/SSQ-36 sonobuoys; ADU-891/E Adapter Group Test Sets; Common Munitions Built-In-Test (BIT) Reprogramming Equipment (CMBRE); GBU-39B/B tactical training rounds, Weapons Load Crew Trainers, and Reliability Assessment Vehicles-Instrumented; Portable Pre-flight/Post-flight Equipment (P3E); CCM-700A encryption devices; KY-100M Narrowband/wideband terminals; KI-133 cryptographic units; AN/PYQ-10 Simple Key Loaders; Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponders; ROVER 6Si and TNR2x transceivers; MR6000 ultra high frequency (UHF) and very high frequency (VHF) radios; Selex SeaSpray Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) surveillance radars; HISAR-300 Radars; SNC 4500 Auto Electronic Surveillance Measures (ESM) Systems; SAGE 750 ESM systems; Due Regard Radars (DRR); MX-20 Electro-Optical Infrared (EO-IR) Laser Target Designators (LTDs); Ku-Band SATCOM GAASI Transportable Earth Stations (GATES); C-Band Line-of-Sight (LOS) Ground Data Terminals; AN/DPX-7 IFF transponders; Compact Multi-band Data Links (CMDL); initial spare and repair parts, consumables, accessories, and repair and return support; secure communications, precision navigation, and cryptographic equipment; munitions support and support equipment; testing and integration support and equipment; classified and unclassified software delivery and support; classified and unclassified publications and technical documentation; personnel training and training equipment; transportation support; warranties; studies and surveys; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is $3.99 billion.

This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to strengthen the U.S.-Indian strategic relationship and to improve the security of a major defense partner which continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia region.

The proposed sale will improve India’s capability to meet current and future threats by enabling unmanned surveillance and reconnaissance patrols in sea lanes of operation. India has demonstrated a commitment to modernizing its military and will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractor will be General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Poway, CA. The purchaser typically requests offsets. Any offset agreement will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and the contractor.

Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to India.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

The description and dollar value are for the highest estimated quantity and dollar value based on initial requirements. Actual dollar value will be lower depending on final requirements, budget authority, and signed sales agreement(s), if and when concluded.

All questions regarding this proposed Foreign Military Sale should be directed to the State Department's Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, pm-cpa@state.gov.