2024-09-24 14:25:24
Washington: India is buying 31 MQ-9 Predator drones from the US. The purchase of this drone has also been finalized during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US. In such a situation, MQ-9B Predator drones will soon become a part of the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. The Indian Navy is already using this MQ-9 Predator drone on lease in a limited number. It is also known as the MQ-9 Reaper drone in common language. However, questions are also being raised on this Predator drone deal of India. In fact, Yemen’s Houthi rebels have shot down about 10 MQ-9 Predator drones of the US within the last one year. Predator is considered to be America’s favorite drone, which it has used against many countries around the world. America has been using Reaper drones in Yemen for many years to attack and spy on Houthi rebels.
America in a hurry to sell MQ-9 drones to India
In February this year, the US State Department had cleared the sale of a $3.99 billion arms deal to India, which included 31 units of MQ-9B drones manufactured by General Atomics. 15 of these extremely expensive drones are being bought for the Indian Navy, while the remaining 16 will be divided equally between the Indian Army and Air Force. India had first expressed its desire to buy these drones in June 2023. The first of these drones is expected to arrive in India by the end of 2026 and is likely to be placed in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. However, what has set alarm bells ringing for India is the ease with which Houthi rebels in Yemen have been able to shoot down these drones since last year.
The Houthis shot down two MQ-9 drones last week
Just a week ago, Yemen’s Houthi rebels shot down two US MQ-9 Reaper drones within a week. On Wednesday, the US military also confirmed the crash of two of its MQ-9 Reaper drones. The US military said that Houthi rebels shot down the first Reaper on September 10 and the second Reaper on Monday. Online videos showed the MQ-9 Reaper being shot down in Yemen’s Dhamar province and then burning debris on the ground. Pentagon press secretary, US Air Force Major General Pat Ryder, said officials were continuing to investigate the downing of the aircraft on Monday, but declined to provide detailed information.
Even America surrendered before the Houthis!
He said the Houthis’ claim that they have shot down 10 Reapers since the start of their campaign in the Israel-Hamas war in November is “not accurate.” “For operational security reasons, I will not be able to give a specific number,” Ryder said Tuesday. Since the Houthis seized northern Yemen and its capital, Sanaa, in 2014, U.S. forces have shot down Reapers in Yemen in 2017, 2019, 2023 and 2024. The Houthis have targeted more than 80 merchant ships with missiles and drones since the war in Gaza began in October. They seized one ship and sank two, killing four sailors.
How are Houthi rebels shooting down Reaper drones
According to a report by Russian media Sputnik, Yemen’s Houthi rebels are using modern Soviet 2K12 Kub air defense systems to shoot down American MQ-9 Reaper drones. It is believed that the Houthis have modified the Kub missile launcher to fire Yemeni-made Fetter-1 interceptor missiles. Apart from this, they also have many surface-to-air missiles made in Iran. They are using them to shoot down any aerial target. Iran has also provided them with a proper radar system, which monitors the Yemeni air border 24 hours a day.
When did the Houthis shoot down American drones?
- On August 4, 2024, the Houthis shot down a Reaper from the sky over Saada, northwestern Yemen.
- On May 29, 2024, the Houthis destroyed an unmarked Reaper over Marib. This Reaper is believed to be operated by the CIA.
- On 24 May 2024, the Houthis shot down an MQ-9 over the Yemeni capital, Sanaa.
- On 17 May 2024, the Houthis destroyed another Reaper over Marib.
- On 27 April 2024, the Houthis shot down an MQ-9 in the Saada province of northwestern Yemen.
- On 19 February 2024, a Reaper was destroyed over the city of Al-Hudaydah in western Yemen.
- On 8 November 2023, a US Air Force Reaper was shot down over the Red Sea.
- Apart from this, the Houthis shot down three more Reaper drones between 2017 and 2019.
Why is India buying MQ-9 drones
India is the seventh largest country in the world by area. India also has a 7,516.6 kilometer long coastline. To monitor such a large area, India needs an aerial surveillance device that can do this work at a low cost. For this, the American MQ-9 Reaper drone can be a good option. It is adept at surveillance, spying as well as attacking. In such a situation, the Indian armed forces will be able to easily use this drone according to their needs. The MQ-9 Reaper drone can carry 3,750 pounds of weapons (eight Hellfire missiles) and can travel a distance of about 2,000 miles without refueling. It can roam around the world while its operator is sitting thousands of miles away. This is because the MQ-9 Reaper is connected to the satellite from the command center.