When can we expect the first of 15 MQ-9 Sea Guardians through FMS for the Indian Navy? What are the Indian Navy's plans for the Drishti/Hermes 900 MALE UAVs being manufactured in India?

New Delhi, Feb. 2 -- Letter of Acceptance (LoA) for tri-services procurement of MQ-9B UAVs was signed with USG in October 2024 under the FMS (Foreign Military Sales) route, with IN being the lead service. Delivery of first two RPAs (Remotely Piloted Aircraft) are scheduled to commence wef Q1/2029. MALE: 10 Drishti MALE (Medium Altitude Long Endurance) RPAs are presently under induction into the IN. One RPA has been operationalised and is being flown by IN crew towards consolidation and undertaking Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions.

With all the talk about another aircraft carrier, the IAC-2, is there any substance to this? Considering the indigenous expertise available with respect to design and construction of IAC-1, ...