"The entire development project of the Rustom series was estimated to cost around Rs 1,500 crore (approximately USD 200 million) incurred by DRDO. It's capable of staying aloft (at a maximum flight altitude of over 22,000 feet) for more than 24 hours," the Congress said in a statement. It is designed primarily for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. "The Rustom II is a medium-altitude long endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) developed on the lines of the Predator drones of the US. The Congress said that an alternative to the Predator drone was available in India in the form of the Rustom II Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. Germany bought it for USD 17 million per drone," he said Spain also bought these drones by paying USD 46.75 million per drone. The UK Air Force bought MQ-9B drone at USD 12.5 million per MQ-9B drone in 2016. "The US Air Force bought MQ-9 drone, a superior version, at USD 56.5 million per drone. Then why is the Modi Govt buying 31 drones now?"Ĭongress spokesperson Pawan Khera said: "Several countries have brought these MQ-9B Predator drones or very similar variants at a lower price than India." He cited several examples to drive home his point. Congress asked, "In Apr 2023 (just 2 months ago), the Indian Armed Forces informed the Modi Govt that the requirement for Predator drones is just 18 and not 31. The party also questioned the Modi government on the number of drones being purchased. "Why is India paying more than the actual price for a drone, as compared to other countries? Why are we paying the highest price for a drone, which does not have AI integration," Congress asked.ĪLSO READ | PM Modi, Biden Announce Multi-Billion Dollar Deal On 'Reaper' Armed Drones The Congress alleged that the Government of India is paying 3.072 billion (Rs 25,200 crore) deal for 31 MQ-9B Predator drones manufactured by General Atomics. Comparing this to the Rafale deal, the party asked, " Is it not reminiscent of the Rafale deal wherein PM Modi unilaterally signed a deal for 36 Rafales without the Defence Ministry or the External Affairs Ministry privy to it?" The ADS-B will improve Predator B’s crew situational awareness making the drone capable to operate more freely and safely in domestic and international airspace in accordance with civilian air traffic and airspace rules and regulations.The Congress has alleged that India is paying more than other countries for the purchase of the 31 predator drones, a deal that was welcomed by PM Modi and US President Joe Biden during the Prime Minister's first state visit to the US. To such an extent, unmanned aircraft could soon become a nightmare for the ATC controllers. airspace is quickly being filled with simultaneously flying drones. Concurrently, Guardian’s ADS-B OUT transponder notified other aircraft and ATC of its location and velocity. airports to be ADS-B equipped by 2020.Ī Guardian drone (the maritime surveillance version of the Predator B) was equipped with a Reduced Size Transponder, designated AN/DPX-7, an IFF that interoperates with both military and civilian ATC surveillance systems and is ADS-B-capable.ĭuring the tests, ADS-B IN-capable transponder detected other ADS-B-equipped aircraft in the vicinity and displayed the aircraft on a display within the Ground Control Station (GCS). The purpose of the test was to demonstrate that such unmanned aircraft can fly cooperatively and safely in the National Airspace System (NAS), allowing Air Traffic Control (ATC) to know their location precisely, as mandated by the FAA that requires all aircraft flying above 10,000 feet or around major U.S.
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