Iran shoots down US MQ-9 Reaper. How different are India-operated MQ-9 drones?
An MQ-9 Reaper, which was claimed to have been shot down, costs $50 million. For context, the F-35 Lightning, the most advanced jet in US service, costs between $82.5 million to $109 million a piece. The Reaper's $50 million sticker price makes it more expensive…
According to the Mehr News Agency report, the IRGC claimed it had shot down the MQ-9 Reaper drone over the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, with the unmanned aircraft plunging into the depths of the Persian Gulf. In a statement reported by the outlet.
The US has yet to confirm or deny the same. This comes as the US launched attacks on Iranian targets for the first time in over a month.
What Happened
The Financial Times reported on Monday that American forces had struck two Iranian rocket launchers on an island in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran retaliated by firing missiles and drones targeting US air bases in Jordan.
An MQ-9 Reaper, which was claimed to have been shot down, costs $50 million.
For context, the F-35 Lightning, the most advanced jet in US service, costs between $82.5 million to $109 million a piece.
The Reaper's $50 million sticker price makes it more expensive than even fighter jets.
Key Details
The MQ-9 Reaper, which the IRGC claimed to have sent into the waters of the Persian Gulf, is an advanced US-made Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) capable of both long-range reconnaissance and surveillance operations, as well as launching precision strikes. It, however, differs.
For instance, JF-17, used by Pakistan, costs around $25 million a piece.
Meanwhile, the HAL Tejas Mk-1A used by the Indian Air Force, costs between $40-$45 million a piece.
The MQ-9 Reaper is a medium altitude long-endurance UAV developed by the American aerospace manufacturer, General Atomics, and costing up to $50 million a piece.
Why It Matters
Before we examine how India's Sea Guardians differ from the MQ-9 the IRGC claimed to have shot down on Monday, let us first have a quick look at the Reaper. Operated primarily by the US Air Force, the Reaper is used primarily.
According to General Atomics, the Reaper can remain airborne for about 27 hours, fly at speeds of up to 240 knots (about 444 kilometres per hour), operate at altitudes of up to 50,000 feet.
According to a report in The Washington Post published earlier in August, the US Military has lost at least 45 MQ-9 drones since the war started in February, or about 25% of its entire.
What Reports Say
Coverage of the story so far points to:
The MQ-9B Sea Guardians, two of which were leased by India's Ministry of Defence at a cost of ₹1,943 crore earlier in August, differ significantly from the MQ-9 Reaper which was allegedly shot.
According to General Atomics, the Sea Guardian has a longer wingspan than the Reaper (79-foot), higher take-off weight (5,670 kg) and a longer endurance (30 hours compared to the Reaper's 27 hours).
Continued reporting by India Today as more details emerge
