Is India's worry about surging UAVs in the Indian Ocean undue?

Is India's worry about surging UAVs in the Indian Ocean undue?

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2010-8-17 11:05
Predator XP drone


The Pakistani army has moved closer to buying Predator XP drones from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., after the company said it has received export approval.


But U.S. Undersecretary for Defense Michele Flournoy said on a trip to India this week that only unarmed drones will be sold to Pakistan.


The missile-armed Predator can loiter over a target for long periods and attack by remote control, a capability that concerns India, which has had periodic border confrontations with Pakistan over the disputed mountainous Kashmir region.


Flournoy confirmed an announcement last month by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems that short-range drones for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations would be supplied to Pakistan.


"We have put only two unarmed tactical UAVs, Scan Eagle and Shadow, on the table. They are not armed drones,'' she said.


The Predator model on offer to countries including Pakistan are stripped down versions of the MQ-1 armed drones the U.S. military uses in the Afghanistan and Pakistan theater as well as in Iraq. But they are without the capability to carry missiles.


The UAVs are used to monitor enemy movement and strike designated targets.


After meeting Indian Defense Minister A. K. Antony and National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon, Flournoy said the United States was aware of Indian concerns over arms sales to Pakistan. The United States would monitor how the weapons are used in ongoing counter-terrorism operations.



"We are mindful of things which will undermine regional stability,'' she said.


Previously, sales have been allowed only to NATO countries, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

The price of the contract to Pakistan wasn't disclosed but analysts have estimated a 10-vehicle Predator system, with ground stations and software, would cost around $400 million. A single Predator vehicle would cost between $4 million and $15 million depending on surveillance equipment and weapons.  (From UPI)



Since Afghan War broke out, UAVs with capability of surveillance, intelligence transmission and attack have become one of the most important forces of US troops. Meanwhile, other countries are driven to speed their pace of deploying UAVs, especially countries in the region of the Indian Ocean, which, however, worries India.



Even though US delivers Pakistan two unarmed tactical UAVs, Scan Eagle and Shadow, India worries that Pakistan is not satisfied and eager for armed UAVs like US.


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UAV Scan Eagle


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UAV Shadow


Reports say Bangladesh is negotiating purchase of Remez-3K UAVs from Ukraine, which is capable of conducting TV surveillance, strategic air surveillance, patrol and ecological surveillance.


Meanwhile, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held for two production lines of UAVs in Iran in February.


Besides, Australia received Israel's Heron UAVs, which is capable of conducting surveillance in the altitude of 9,000 meters.


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UAV Heron


It's reported that India purchases 50 Heron UAVs from Israel for over $200 million, which are deployed in Andaman Islands close to the Strait of Malacca to monitor Chinese convoy fleets through the Strait of Malacca.


Reports also say India makes an international bid for advanced armed UAVs with stealth technology and Micro-UAVs in July and August.


It's reported that India will develop indigenous long-range UAVs after 2012. According to Indian officials, India hopes to complete a comprehensive intelligence network consisting of space intelligence network, UAV surveillance network and sea surveillance vessels in the Indian Ocean.


Is India's worry about surging UAVs in the Indian Ocean undue?