CCS clears deals for MQ-9B drones and submarines

Sub : Sci

Sec: Defence

Context:

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CSS) approved two high-profile deals for the purchase of 31 MQ-9B High Altitude Long Endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicles from General Atomics of the U.S. and indigenous construction of two nuclear attack submarines.
The purchase of 31 MQ-9B drones include 15 Sea Guardians for the Indian Navy and 16 Sky Guardians, 8 each for the navy and air force.
Approval from CCS is the final step of the procurement deal.
As part of the deal, General Atomics is scheduled to establish a Global Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility in India.

Significance:

Both MQ-9B drones and nuclear submarines are ‘hunter-killer’ weapon platforms because they can quietly gather intelligence, track enemy targets at extended ranges and then destroy them if required.

About MQ-9B Predator Drones:

The MQ-9B drone is a variant of the MQ-9 “Reaper”, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capable of remotely controlled or autonomous flight operations.
These are high-altitude long-endurance drones armed with strike missiles which can take out enemy targets with high accuracy.
It was developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI),primarily for the United States Air Force (USAF).
The MQ-9B has two variants – Sky Guardian and Sea Guardian. The Indian Navy has been operating the MQ-9B Sea Guardian since 2020.

Features of MQ-9B:

It can carry up to 5,670 kg and has a fuel capacity of 2,721 kg.
The drone can operate at over 40,000 feet.
The Predator also has a maximum endurance of 40 hours, making it useful for long-hour surveillance.
It can support land, maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, strike, electronic warfare and expeditionary roles.
It is also capable of automatic take-offs and landings.

Nuclear Submarine Project (SSN Project):

The SSN project is a part of larger Project 75-Alpha (75-A) of the Indian Navy to procure new nuclear-powered attack submarines, which started in 2015.
India has already indigenously manufactured nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBN) and the SSN project will be a follow-on to that.
India’s second SSBN, INS Arighaat, was commissioned into service recently, joining INS Arihant, which was commissioned into service in 2016.
SSNs provide unlimited endurance, with operational limits only determined by crew endurance.
India has leased two SSNs from Russia; a third is expected to be operational in 2-3 years.

About Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS):

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) is a key decision-making body of the Indian government in matters of national security and defence.
It is headed by the Prime Minister.
Members:
- Prime Minister
- Minister of Defence
- Minister of Home Affairs
- Minister of Finance
- Minister of External Affairs