US APPROVED SALE OF 31 PREDATOR DRONES TO INDIA | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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    Posted 15 Mar 2024

    5 min read

    US APPROVED SALE OF 31 PREDATOR DRONES TO INDIA

    • US Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified US Congress for possible military sale of MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones and related equipment to the Government of India.
    • Drones are powered aerial vehicles that can fly autonomously or be piloted remotely and can carry a lethal or nonlethal payload(s).

     

    • About MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones
      • Designed to fly over the horizon via satellite for over 30 hours.
      • Safely integrate into civil airspace, enabling joint forces and civil authorities to deliver real-time situational awareness.
      • Integrates advanced maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities
      • Enables real-time search and patrol above and below the ocean's surface.

     

    • Significance of Drone technology in defense 
      • Strategic: Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) through real-time visuals and data to aid decision-making.
        • Reduced risk to personnel, cost-effective as compared to conventional manned aircraft, etc.
      • Tactical: Precision strikes with minimal collateral damage, improved coordination and logistics in challenging terrain, etc.

     

    • Challenges associated with drones: Complex airspace management framework in India, impact of adverse weather conditions like strong winds, potential misuse to breach privacy and safety, etc.
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    • Tags :
    • Drones
    • MQ-9B SkyGuardian

    ABHYAS- HIGH-SPEED EXPENDABLE AERIAL TARGET (HEAT)

    • Flight trials of ABHYAS-HEAT were successfully carried out by the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO).

     

    • About ABHYAS-HEAT
      • Designed for autonomous flying with the help of an auto-pilot.
      • Indigenously developed by the DRDO’s Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE). 
      • It has Radar Cross Section, Visual and Infrared augmentation system required for weapon practice. 
        • It also has a laptop-based Ground Control System
      • ABHYAS requires minimum logistics and is cost-effective compared to imported equivalents.
    • Tags :
    • Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO)

    INS SANDHAYAK

    • INS Sandhyak, first Survey Vessel Large (SVL) Ship, commissioned into Indian Navy in Visakhapatanam.

     

    • About INS Sandhayak
      • First in a series of four SVL ships.
      • Equipped with state-of-the-art hydrographic equipment including Deep & Shallow Water Multi-Beam Echo-Sounders, Autonomous Underwater Vehicle, etc.
      • Can offer limited defence capabilities and serve as hospital ship during wartime or emergencies.
      • Has an indigenous content of over 80% by cost.
    • Tags :
    • Survey Vessel Large (SVL) Ship

    PATRIOT MISSILE

    • Russia blamed the use of US-supplied Patriot missiles for downing the plane carrying Ukrainian prisoners of war.
    • PATRIOT (Phased Array Tracking Radar for Intercept on Target), is a theater wide surface-to-air missile defense system. 
      • It is considered one of the most advanced air defense systems in the U.S. arsenal. 
        • It was also used in 1991 Gulf War and during the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003. 
      • It is usually equipped with powerful radar, a control station, a power generator, a launch station, etc.
    • Tags :
    • USA

    EXERCISES IN NEWS

    • SADA TANSEEQ: It is a joint military exercise between India and Saudi Arabia. Inaugural edition will be held from January 29 to February 10 in Rajasthan.

     

    • MILAN 2024: MILAN 2024 is a multilateral naval exercise, hosted by India. 

     

    • Exercise 'DOSTI-16': 16th biennial trilateral coast guard exercise between India, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka started. Bangladesh is participating as an observer.

     

    • Exercise Steadfast Defender 24: NATO started its largest military exercise since the Cold War called Steadfast Defender 2024.
    • Tags :
    • MILAN 2024
    • DOSTI-16
    • NATO
    • SADA TANSEEQ
    • Steadfast Defender 24
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