MQ-9B SkyGuardian
Indian Air Force › Procurement
Eight MQ-9B SkyGuardian HALE drones for IAF under the 31-aircraft tri-service Predator deal
Budget
₹28,350 Cr
Timeline
2024–2030
Sector
Indian Air Force
Indigenisation
PROCUREMENT TIMELINE
AON
AON
Acceptance of Necessity — CCS/DAC approves the requirement.
RFI
RFI
Request for Information — industry capability survey.
RFP
RFP
Request for Proposal — detailed tender issued to vendors.
ToC
ToC
Transfer of Technology clause negotiations.
CNC
CNC
Contract Negotiation Committee finalises terms.
Contract
Contract
CURRENTContract signed with selected vendor(s).
Dev/Trial
Dev/Trial
Induction
Induction
INTEL SIGNALS
Strategic priority designation
This row replaces the vague indigenous MALE UAV procurement placeholder. Wikipedia tracks India signing the MQ-9B deal on 15 Oct 2024 for ₹28,350 crore: 31 aircraft total, with 15 for the Navy and 8 each for the Army and Air Force. The first deliveries are expected from 2029, with remaining aircraft assembled in India and about 34% component sourcing from local companies; no technology transfer is included.
RECENT INTELLIGENCE
janes.com · 21 Aug 2025
Belgium received its first MQ-9B SkyGuardian remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) at Florennes Air Base on 18 August, the Belgian Ministry of Defence (MoD) a
janes.com · 24 Sept 2025
The country's air force intends to operate six such air vehicles across three systems by the time deliveries are completed. Belgium officially inaugurated into
CONTENDERS / VENDORS
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems
LATEST UPDATES
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