An MQ-9B drone leased by India from the United States crashed into the Bay of Bengal near Chennai during an intelligence and surveillance mission, sources reported. The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), controlled from the Indian Navy’s base in Tamil Nadu, was deployed in the Indian Ocean for reconnaissance purposes. The exact cause of the crash has not been disclosed.
The MQ-9B drone was primarily monitoring the Indian Ocean Region, a strategic area for India, with the aim of tracking Chinese military vessels, intelligence ships, and conducting anti-piracy operations. These UAVs play a crucial role in enhancing maritime security and addressing emerging threats in the region.
The Indian Navy has been relying on these drones to strengthen intelligence and surveillance capabilities in the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean. The MQ-9B Predator is one of the most advanced drones used by the Navy, making the crash a significant loss for ongoing intelligence operations.
Officials from the Indian Navy have not yet commented on how the crash will impact current operations or whether additional drones will be deployed to compensate for the loss. However, US-based General Atomics, the manufacturer of the MQ-9B, is expected to replace the downed drone promptly to meet the terms of the contract with the Indian Navy.
The lease agreement between India and General Atomics falls under the Contractor Owned Contractor Operated (COCO) model, which was initiated after the 2020 Galwan Valley clash. Under this arrangement, a fixed number of flight hours must be completed each month to fulfill operational needs. The Navy’s surveillance mission requires more than a single drone, indicating that the crashed UAV will need swift replacement to avoid disruptions in monitoring activities.
The Indian Navy is expected to continue using the MQ-9B drones to secure critical maritime areas and maintain its strategic advantage in the region, despite the setback from this incident.
