How Indian MQ-9B SkyGuardian Acquisition Plan Changes Drone Equation in South Asia

• March 14, 2023: Collision Over the Black Sea

One of two intercepting Russian Su-27 fighters collided with an MQ-9 Reaper flying in international airspace over the Black Sea.

• July 23, 2023: Intercepting Russian Fighter Damages MQ-9 in Syria

A Russian fighter intercepted a U.S. Air Force MQ-9 over Syria and deployed flares, damaging the propeller. The drone returned to base safely.

While the MQ-9, Bayraktar and Wing Loong II may pack quite a punch, their relatively slow speed high visibility on radar renders them vulnerable to enemy fire.

• November 8, 2023: Houthi Rebels Shoot Down MQ-9 over the Red Sea

Houthi rebels in Yemen shot down a U.S. Air Force MQ-9 over the Red Sea amid attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria.

• January 18, 2024: Islamic Resistance of Iraq Shoots Down MQ-9

The Islamic Resistance of Iraq shot down a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone after it took off from Kuwait near Muqdadiyah, Diyala Governorate.

Bayraktar TB2: Used in ongoing Syria, Libya, Nagorno-Karabakh and Russia-Ukraine conflicts.

• In August 2018, Turkey used Bayraktar TB2 to kill PKK leader ?smail Özden in Iraq.
• Libya’s UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) uses Bayraktar TB2s against General Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA).
• Azerbaijan uses Bayraktar TB2s to destroy Armenian targets.
• Ukrainian TB2 Drones (February 2022 - Present):

Ukrainian TB2 drones have  destroyed Russian command posts, military vehicles, tanks, IFVs, trucks, missile systems, artillery, rocket launchers, helicopters, and fuel trains.

Ukrainian sources claim TB2s were involved in sinking the Russian cruiser Moskva using R-360 Neptune missiles.

Wing Loong:

• March 2017: Egyptian Air Force Wing Loong UCAVs in North Sinai:

The Egyptian Air Force launched airstrikes in North Sinai using Wing Loong UCAVs against militants.

• April 2018: Saudi-led Operation Decisive Storm in Yemen:

Wing Loong UCAVs used by the Saudi-led Operation Decisive Storm successfully killed senior Houthi leader Saleh Ali al-Sammad in Yemen.

• Saudi Arabia and U.A.E. Drone Use in Yemen:

Saudi Arabia and the U.A.E. both have attacked Houthi targets in Yemen using CH-4 and Wing Loong drones.

• January 2024: Pakistan targets alleged terrorist hideouts in Iran

Islamabad is believed to have used Wing Loong drones along with JF-17 fighters during January 2024 attack on ‘terrorist’ targets in Iran's Sistan-o-Baluchistan province, soon after Tehran targeted bases of Jaish al-Adl in Pakistan's Balochistan province.

Comparison of MQ-9B SkyGuardian, Ch-5 Rainbow, Wing Loong II, Bayraktar TB2 and Akinci:

Which long endurance attack/reconnaissance drone is the best?

• Speed: MQ-9B has the highest speed at 300 knots, followed by Wing Loong (280 knots), Bayraktar TB2 (135 knots), and Caihong-5 (200 knots).
• Range: MQ-9B has the longest range at 7,408 km, followed by Caihong-5 (6,000 km), Wing Loong II (3,000 km), Bayraktar TB2 (278 km).
• Weapons Carried: MQ-9B carries Hellfire missiles and laser-guided bombs, offering a diverse range of munitions. Other drones also carry a variety of missiles and guided rockets.
• AESA Radar: MQ-9B and Bayraktar TB2 have specified AESA radar systems, providing advanced surveillance capabilities.
• Payload: MQ-9B has the highest payload at 1,701 kg, followed by Wing Loong II (480 kg), Bayraktar TB2 (150 kg), and Caihong-5 (900 kg).

The choice of superiority depends on specific mission requirements, budget considerations, and regional geopolitical factors. The MQ-9B SkyGuardian excels in advanced capabilities but comes with a higher cost. The Wing Loong offers long endurance and diverse payload options, while the Bayraktar TB2 provides a cost-effective solution with proven effectiveness in various conflicts. Each drone has its strengths, and the optimal choice depends on the strategic goals and operational needs of the acquiring country.