India’s likely accession to the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) next month may clear the way for acquisition of armed Predator C jet-powered UAVs made by California-based General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI). The country first expressed interest in the drone, also named Avenger by California-based GA-ASI, last September. India has also made inquiries about the Predator XP, but this export version is licensed only for surveillance.

“MTCR was the first step. Now things can be discussed. The U.S. Foreign Military Sales process is lengthy and it has to be also cleared by the U.S. Congress,” an Indian defense ministry official told AIN. The MTCR is supposed to prevent the proliferation of unmanned nuclear weapons delivery systems capable of carrying a 500 kg (1,100-pound) payload for at least 300 km (186 miles). The jet-powered Predator can carry a payload of up to 6,500 pounds and has a range of 1,800 miles, flying at up to 50,000 feet.

While initially India’s requirement was for approximately 100 Avengers, the official said this could go up to 250 if the Indian Navy decides to change the design of the catapult launch system on its second indigenous aircraft carrier, making Avengers the natural choice. General Atomics Electro Magnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) technology was offered to India under a cooperation agreement on aircraft carrier technologies as part of six “path-finder” projects under the Defense Technology and Trade Initiative during President Barack Obama’s visit in January last year.

GA-ASI developed the Avenger with its own funds, and it first flew in April 2009. It was a candidate for the U.S. Navy Unmanned Carrier-Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UClass) requirement, until that was modified. AIN was told that some were subsequently acquired by the CIA for covert operations where a faster transit time was required than the piston-powered MQ-1/9 Predator/Reaper UAVs. This week, GA-ASI announced that the UTC Aerospace Systems MS-177 seven-band multispectral sensor had been successfully flown on the Predator C. The company said that this combination provides “a strategic ISR capability at a fraction of the cost of other collecting platforms, offering high-resolution imagery from significant standoff ranges.”  

In common with the MQ-1/9, the Avenger can carry Hellfire II missiles. The Indian government has already requested 542 AGM-114R-3 versions of this missile for its AH-64 Apaches and it is likely the order could go up if the Avengers are procured. GA-ASI also said this week that it would fly an improved Avenger next October, with increased wingspan of 76 feet extending the endurance to 20 hours, from 15. This would provide “an optimal balance of long-loiter ISR and precision strike capability,” the company said.

Joining the MCTR would also allow India to consider other high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) unmanned aircraft. In 2011, Northrop Grumman responded to an RFI from Delhi with the RQ-4 Global Hawk despite it being under the MTCR. The RQ-4 can provide ISR information over very large distances with an endurance of 26 hours.