An MQ-9B SeaGuardian remotely piloted aircraft (RPA), leased by the Indian Navy from the United States, crashed into the Bay of Bengal on Wednesday due to a technical malfunction during a routine surveillance mission, the Navy reported.
The MQ-9B SeaGuardian, a high-altitude long-endurance drone, experienced a technical glitch that could not be resolved in-flight, leading to the emergency ditching. The drone, which was operating from INS Rajali in Arakkonam, Tamil Nadu, is considered unsalvageable and will be written off.
The MQ-9B is a variant of the Predator B drones produced by General Atomics and is known for its impressive operational capabilities, including an altitude ceiling of 40,000 feet, a range exceeding 5,000 nautical miles, and an endurance of up to 40 hours. The Indian Navy leased two of these drones four years ago to enhance its intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities across the Indian Ocean region (IOR).
In a statement, the Indian Navy explained that the RPA had successfully navigated to a designated area for a controlled ditching off Chennai. The Navy has requested a detailed report from General Atomics, the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), to understand the cause of the malfunction.
As per the leasing agreement, the OEM is responsible for replacing the damaged RPA to fulfill the Navy’s operational requirements. The loss of the MQ-9B highlights the ongoing need for reliable and resilient surveillance systems in the vast and strategic Indian Ocean region.
Sources By Agencies