Latest news with #MQ-9BReapers
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
A war game-changer in a battle for influence in Asia
The world first noticed a massive shift in how wars are fought during the second Nagorno-Karabakh conflict (2020): the increasingly integral role that drones play. For India and Pakistan, Operation Sindoor (May 7-10) cemented this shift, as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) moved from serving purely reconnaissance needs to becoming instrumental for precision strikes. An exercise of modernisation In the aftermath of the clashes, India is trying to upgrade and modernise its military. In 2024, India finalised an order for 31 MQ-9B Reapers from the United States, including SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian models. These aircraft will supplement India's need for maritime domain awareness and reinforce the strategic partnership between the countries. Still, this partially addresses just one of the needs of a country with its varied terrains and multiple contested borders. Given its vast border territories with Pakistan and China in high-altitude regions, India requires systems that are capable of high-altitude surveillance — larger fixed-wing long-range systems that can deliver significant payloads during precision strikes, and smaller, cost-effective systems for precision strikes. Currently, the unmanned platforms that India has in operation address only some of these requirements. Israeli systems such as the relatively older Harop loitering munition and the medium-altitude long-range Heron are useful for aerial strikes and surveillance, respectively. But they are not the most advanced systems on the market. Apart from these, India largely operated legacy systems that were imported prior to the last decade and some indigenous models. Despite the long defence relationship between the two countries, as India seeks to procure state-of-the-art drones, it no longer makes sense for it to look largely to the U.S. for outright purchases. There is likely to be a shift where the U.S. becomes more important for components such as power plants and electronic payloads. Conversations about leading unmanned aerial systems invariably come back to the U.S., China, Türkiye, and Israel. However, recent reports question whether American drones are good enough even to meet their domestic demands, let alone dominate the export market. A New York Times article, written by an observer of exercises with U.S. drone companies, revealed the growing gap between American systems and those made by Russia and China. Congruent with these concerns, the 'US Drone Dominance' executive order was rolled out with massive plans for American drone production. A CNAS report finds that the U.S.'s adherence to the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) has resulted in it falling far behind China and Türkiye in the UAV export market, making up only 8% of the market as of the end of 2023. Although recent and upcoming reforms to the MTCR will allow the U.S. to tap into the export market more, it already lags behind. Today, India finds itself trying to fill these gaps in its arsenal through imports, joint ventures and domestic production, largely relying on Israel and European countries. Given the state of its ties with both China and Türkiye at the moment, India is unlikely to rely on either country for critical defence technologies. As it attempts to further its own interests, India should also leverage its technological advancements to become a supplier of fixed-wing UAVs for the broader Indo-Pacific region. The China factor A number of countries, including Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, South Korea and Japan have relations with China that can only be described as strained at best. Maritime Domain Awareness is essential for these countries to monitor and counter China's use of 'gray-zone' warfare, using agents such as their coast guard and maritime militia, to enforce disputed territorial claims. This also enables them to protect their sovereignty and safeguard vital economic interests, such as fisheries and energy exploration, from constant encroachment. Israel finds itself otherwise preoccupied with its long and drawn-out conflict in West Asia, and is unlikely to be a reliable supplier to the region. With the U.S. struggling to remain in the race, Türkiye is the primary option for procuring high-performance and cost-effective systems. Given that India and Türkiye find themselves in a fairly adversarial relationship, it is in India's interest to prevent Türkiye from expanding its sphere of influence through drone diplomacy. Many countries in the Indo-Pacific also share similar geographies with India, and, consequently, a pressing need for systems tailored to maritime domain awareness and high-altitude border patrol. If India were to develop systems to suit its own needs, they would also suit the strategic requirements of its not-so-distant neighbours. A contested space The U.S.-shaped vacuum in the drone market within the Indo-Pacific, is becoming a highly contested space that India would benefit from filling. Not only would it boost trade and influence with a host of countries but it would also fulfil the country's own strategic needs. Despite being held back by bureaucratic red tape and a public sector dominated defence sector, it would benefit India to capitalise on its existing ties with Israel and utilise its learnings from joint production ventures to better its domestic UAV ecosystem. Beyond just producing everything domestically, technology-sharing regimes with like-minded countries in the Indo-Pacific would further mutual interests and foster trust-based relationships in a region that is becoming increasingly polarised. Adya Madhavan is Research Analyst, The Takshashila Institution
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump signs armed drones deal with Qatar
Donald Trump signed a deal with Qatar to sell long-range armed drones as he landed in Doha on the second leg of Gulf talks. The US president approved the sale of eight MQ-9B Reapers, remotely-piloted aerial vehicles used extensively by the Americans in the Middle East. The $2 billion deal also includes hundreds of bombs, missiles, radars and air defence systems as well as US technical support. Qatar, which hosts America's largest base in the region, is the second-largest purchaser of US military equipment after Saudi Arabia. Doha had tried, but failed, to have its purchase of Reaper drones approved during the Biden administration. Mr Trump, who hailed his 'very special friendship' with the Qatari Emir, also signed what he called 'the largest order of jets in the history of Boeing', saying the deal was worth $200billion and included 160 jets. The White House later announced that the US-Qatar agreements, focused on defence, energy and tech, will generate $1.2 trillion in 'economic exchange'. It comes as the US president faces mounting criticism over a new jumbo jet from Qatar that represents the most expensive gift ever given to the US government, which has raised a host of legal, ethical and security concerns. The aircraft, worth about $400 million (£300 million), will be available to the president throughout his second term, before being transferred to the Trump presidential library foundation in 2029, it is understood. 'After signing these documents, we are going to another level of relationship between Qatar and the United States,' the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, said at the signing ceremony in Doha. 'This has been a very interesting couple of hours,' Mr Trump responded, adding that the pair had discussed the war in Ukraine and the 'interesting situation' in Iran. In terms of Tehran, which Doha shares ties with, the president voiced hope that diplomatic efforts would achieve a new nuclear deal. 'I have a feeling it's going to work out,' he added. Trump's first day of his four-day visit to the Gulf region brought a $600 billion commitment from Saudi Arabia to invest in the US and $142 billion in US arms sales to the kingdom. We will be back soon to bring you more updates from Donald Trump's visit to the Middle East. The US secretary of state has left Donald Trump's side in Doha to travel to Turkey for a Nato meeting. Marco Rubio will meet foreign ministers of the military alliance tomorrow in Antalya. He will then travel to Istanbul on Thursday for Ukraine ceasefire talks. After Donald Trump's talks in Saudi Arabia yesterday, his administration announced a a $600 billion (£453bn) 'commitment to invest in the United States'. Yet, according to a document published by the White House, the investment deals mentioned add up to $282 billion (£212bn) – about half the declared figure. A previous US arms deal agreed with the Kingdom during Mr Trump's first term in 2017 also pledged a large headline figure. The White House, at the time, said that the deal included 'an immediate $110 billion investment' that could 'grow to $350 billion over the next 10 years'. However, by late 2018, Saudi Arabia had purchased just $14.5 billion in arms from the US, the BBC reported. The next thing on Donald Trump's itinerary is a state dinner hosted by Qatar, held at the Lusail Palace in Doha. The White House spin is in, claiming more than a trillion dollars in 'economic exchange' with Qatar. 'Today in Qatar, President Donald J. Trump signed an agreement with Qatar to generate an economic exchange worth at least $1.2 trillion,' it said in a statement. 'President Trump also announced economic deals totaling more than $243.5 billion between the United States and Qatar, including an historic sale of Boeing aircraft and GE Aerospace engines to Qatar Airways.' As ever, the devil will be in the detail. Some of the deals (such as the sale of $2 billion of drones and related equipment) had been previously announced. And it remains to be seen whether the commitments for 'economic exchange' will be turned into actual cash and sales. Agreements signed by Donald Trump and Qatar's Emir today will 'generate an economic exchange worth at least $1.2 trillion,' the White House said. The agreements include a $96 billion deal with Qatar Airways to buy up to 210 Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 777X airplanes with GE Aerospace engines. Other signed deals could lead to $38 billion in investments at Qatar's Al Udeid Air Base and other air defence and maritime security capabilities, a White House fact sheet said. Donald Trump lavished praise on the Emir of Qatar, calling him a 'very special guy' as the pair signed a number of agreements with to boost relations between their two countries. 'Long before any of this stuff, we just liked each other. That's not a bad thing. That's a good thing. But, we always had a very special relationship,' Mr Trump said, adding that they share a 'longtime friendship'. The US president likened Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who he had talks with yesterday in Saudi Arabia. 'You two guys get along so well and like each other,' Mr Trump said. 'You sort of remind me a little bit of each other, if you want to know the truth. Both tall, handsome guys that happen to be very smart.' Elon Musk met with the governor of Qatar's central bank in Doha today. On the sidelines of Donald Trump's official visit to the Gulf state, the Space X and Tesla owner sat down with Sheikh Bandar bin Mohammed bin Saoud Al Thani to discuss global finance and developments. The idea of the president of the United States holding talks and posing for photographs with a former al-Qaeda leader would once have been inconceivable. Donald Trump's 33-minute meeting with Ahmed al-Sharaa, the new Syrian leader, on Wednesday morning is therefore an extraordinarily symbolic moment in the modern history of the Middle East. After all, in Washington's eyes, Mr al-Sharaa, who once also had links to Islamic State, is still the leader of a terrorist group. Although Washington has lifted the $10 million (£7.5million) bounty on his head, the terrorist designation it placed on Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Islamist group he leads, remains in place. The first meeting between a US and Syrian president in quarter of a century therefore carries with it considerable reputational risk – as does Mr Trump's surprise announcement that Washington would unilaterally lift all sanctions. The declaration will undoubtedly prompt consternation in Israel, which remains deeply wary of Mr al-Sharaa, as well as misgivings among pro-Israeli hawks in his administration, who will fear that once again Mr Trump has offered something for nothing. By contrast, the US president won praise in unlikely quarters, most notably from the United Nations. Mr Trump has never been one for rules, conventions and diplomatic norms, so perhaps the gesture should come as no surprise, even if it is not entirely clear why he made it. Donald Trump has signed the 'largest ever' order of jets from US manufacturer Boeing to Qatar. Mr Trump said the deal was worth $200 billion and included 160 jets. The US president said Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg told him at the signing ceremony that 'it's the largest order of jets in the history of Boeing, that's good'. Donald Trump voiced hope on Wednesday that diplomatic efforts for a nuclear deal with Iran would succeed, after he held talks with Qatar's Emir. 'I have a feeling it's going to work out,' Trump said in Doha, following the resumption last month of negotiations with Iran seeking to reach a deal. Donald Trump and the Qatari Emir have just signed a joint declaration of cooperation between their two countries. The Emir described their meeting as 'great', saying they discussion many issues affecting the region. He added that the new deals are 'going to another level of a relationship between Qatar and the US'. Donald Trump was given a Cybertruck-led motorcade as he arrived in Qatar on the next stop on his four-day visit to the Middle bullet-proof pick-ups escorted the US president's car as he travelled through the capital of Doha. Mr Trump, who was joined by Tesla's CEO Elon Musk in Saudi talks on Tuesday, was greeted by the emir of Qatar and other top officials before boarding his motorcade. Qatar is home to America's largest military base in the region and military cooperation is expected to be top of the agenda. The Gulf state has also acted as a key mediator between Israel and Hamas efforts to reach a ceasefire are expected to be discussed during Mr Trump's visit. Before Mr Trump's arrival, Qatar's royal family controversially gifted the president a 'free' luxury plane worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Mr Trump had just left Saudi Arabia after signing a major arms deal and speaking with Syria's president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, marking the first time leaders of the two countries had met in 25 years. Credit: Reuters Donald Trump has said that Vladimir Putin wants him to be present for peace negotiations with Volodymyr Zelensky in Istanbul on Thursday. The US president said he did not know whether his Russian counterpart would appear at the talks but said he would 'like me to be there'. 'He'd like me to be there, and that's a possibility … I don't know that he would be there if I'm not there. We're going to find out,' Mr Trump told reporters en route to Qatar. Mr Trump, who is in Qatar for the second-leg of a four-day trip to the Middle East, said he may fly to Turkey on Thursday after visiting the United Arab Emirates. The US president also said he was 'always considering' secondary sanctions on Moscow after the European Union unveiled a 17th package on Wednesday. The Kremlin confirmed on Wednesday that a Russian delegation will be in Istanbul for talks but again refused to say who would be there. The Qatar leg of the trip will be marked by deals, deals, deals and a lavish state dinner. Earlier this year, the US OKed a $2billion sale of Reaper drones to Qatar. Expect that to be signed and sealed along with a huge deal from Qatar Airlines to buy as many as 150 Boeing jets. It's an extraordinary series of deals for such a tiny country, with a population of just 300,000 people, and limited ties to the US. However, in recent years it has used its ties to militant groups such as the Taliban and Hamas to build a position as a key facilitator in the region. Before leaving, Mr Trump told his aides he wanted to be able to announce more than $1 trillion in deals. Donald Trump will soon speak at a bilateral meeting with the Emir of Qatar at the Old Amiri Palace in Doha. Several Trump cabinet members, including Pete Hegseth, Marcio Rubio, and Scott Bessent are present. No progress has been made in Steve Witkoff's push to secure a new ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, according to reports. Axios reporter Barak Ravid quoted one Israeli official saying that Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, had showed 'zero flexibility' when discussing the deal. Saudi Arabia rolled out a mobile McDonald's for Donald Trump's arrival in Riyadh on Tuesday. Mr Trump is well-known for his love of McDonald's, particularly Big Macs and a Fillet-O-Fish, according to Jared Kushner, his son-in-law. The mobile McDonald's was added onto the back of a truck as he arrived in Riyadh to much fanfare. The US president later looked unsure as he was handed what appeared to be a coffee in a small espresso cup by attendants wearing ceremonial gun-belts. As for his lunch, Mr Trump was treated to a miso-flavoured beef starter, before being served a grilled black angus steak alongside potatoes and salad, among his favoured dishes. He was then driven to dinner in a golf cart by the Saudi Crown Prince while receiving a traditional welcome at the Saudi royal family's 18th century capital Diriyah, outside of Riyadh. Donald Trump is a 'man of peace', Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani has said. 'I know you want to bring peace to this region,' he told Mr Trump in a joint press conference. Mr Trump replied: 'We have liked each other and we have worked with each other and now we can work in the highest capacity,' he says. Mr Trump also said he wanted to bring about peace in Ukraine, adding: 'We have some very good news coming out of there today and maybe tomorrow or possibly Friday. 'But we will see about that.' Credit: Reuters Donald Trump has hailed his meeting with Syria's president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, as 'great'. He described the Syrian president as a 'young, attractive guy. Tough guy. Strong past. Very strong past. Fighter.' It marked the first time a US president has meet with his Syrian counterpart in 25 years. He was seen shaking hands with al-Sharaa while asking him to recognise Israel and help counter the threat of Isis resurging. Mr Trump also said his trip to the Middle East - which does not include a visit to America's key ally of Israel, does not sideline the state. 'I think it's very good for Israel,' he told reporters after landing in Qatar. Donald Trump has just landed in Qatar's capital of Doha, the next stop on his four-day visit to the Middle East. The US president will meet with top Qatari officials, including Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. America's largest military installation in the Middle East, Al Udeid air base, is in Qatar, which can house more than 10,000 troops. Qatar has acted as a key mediator between Israel and Hamas throughout the conflict and efforts to reach a ceasefire are expected to feature high on the agenda of Mr Trump's visit. Donald Trump has landed in Qatar. Donald Trump is expected to land in Qatar shortly for the second leg of his four-day visit to the Middle East. His first visit will be to the Amiri Diwan government office in Doha after midday. Mr Trump will then be hosted in a Qatari State Dinner at Lusail Palace from 6pm. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has thanked Donald Trump for lifting sanctions on Syria. In a speech in the Turksih parliament, Mr Erdoğan also said he had trust in the support of 'my friend Trump' to help end the war in Gaza. Mr Trump announced the US would lift all sanctions last night at the behest of both Mr Erdoğan and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia. Donald Trump has left Riyadh and is heading to Qatar, the second leg of his four-day visit to the Middle East Donald Trump has urged Syria's president to normalise relations with Israel by joining the Abraham Accords. The Abraham Accords, brokered by Mr Trump, are a set of bilateral agreements designed to normalise relations between Israel and Arab nations, including the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. The accords were later joined by Sudan and Morocco. They were seen as a major step toward peace in the Middle East but progress was derailed by Hamas's terror attack in Israel on Oct 7. Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia's crown prince, arranged the meeting between Donald Trump and Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria's president, in Riyadh this morning. Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also joined on the phone, the White House said. Donald Trump had a list of demands for Ahmed al-Sharaa during their meeting this morning, the White House has revealed. Sign the Abraham Accords, recognising Israel Remove all foreign terrorists from Syria Deport Palestinian terrorists Prevent the resurgence of Isis Assume responsibility for Isis detention centres in north-east Syria Credit: Reuters/Saudi TV Donald Trump shook hands with the Syrian president on the sidelines of a summit in Riyadh this morning. In the first meeting between the leaders of the two countries in 25 years, Mr Trump told Ahmed al-Sharaa to recognise Israel. The White House said the former al-Qaeda fighter, who once battled American forces in Iraq, should sign the Abraham Accords with Israel and help prevent the resurgence of Isis. The Abraham Accords are a set of bilateral agreements designed to normalise relations between Israel and Arab nations, including the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. Israel has bombed Syria a number of times since al-Sharaa led an insurgency against Bashar al-Assad last December, including in April, when several military targets were struck in Homs. It also invaded the buffer zone in southwestern Syria adjacent to the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, before bombarding the Syrian army's capabilities. Mr Trump announced on Tuesday that the US would lift all sanctions on Syria, which were imposed during the previous regime. Addressing the decision this morning, he told leaders of the Gulf Council in Riyadh that it 'gives them a chance for greatness'. Mr Trump then moves onto Syria, saying lifting sanctions on the country 'gives them a chance for greatness'. 'The sanctions were really crippling, very powerful,' he told Gulf Council leaders. 'We will be dropping all of the sanctions on Syria which I think will be a good thing,' he added. Credit: Reuters Donald Trump has said he wants to make a deal with Iran but that it must 'stop sponsoring terror' first. Speaking at a meeting of the Gulf Council in Riyadh, the US president said he wanted to 'make a deal' if it was possible. 'But for that to happen, it must stop sponsoring terror, halt its bloody proxy wars and permanently and verifiably cease its pursuit of nuclear weapons.' Mr Trump also hit out at his predecessor Joe Biden for 'turning his back on the Gulf allies', adding: 'Those days are over.' 'Everybody at the table knows where my loyalties lie.' Credit: Reuters Donald Trump is speaking to leaders of the Gulf Council in Riyadh. Donald Trump has joined a meeting of the Gulf Council in Riyadh. After the meeting, the US president will head to Qatar. Turkey's president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, joined Donald Trump's meeting with Syria's president Ahmed al-Sharaa via an online video link. Saudi Arabia's crown prince Mohammed bin Salman was also present. Donald Trump has defended his decision to accept a luxury jumbo jet from Qatar's royal family to be used as a new Air Force One. The US president told Fox News, while on board his current Air Force One, that the gift is compensation for the security umbrella offered by the United States. 'Some people say, 'Oh, you shouldn't accept gifts for the country,'' Mr Trump said in an interview that aired last night. 'My attitude is, why wouldn't I accept a gift? We're giving to everybody else.' 'We've secured that part of the world for many years,' he added. The aircraft, worth about $400 million (£300 million), will be available to the president throughout his second term, before being transferred to the Trump presidential library foundation in 2029, sources told US media. Donald Trump is currently meeting Syrian president Ahmed al-Sharaa, the White House has said. It is the first meeting between the two nations' leaders in 25 years. Yesterday, the White House said the meeting would just be for Mr Trump to 'say hello'. Ahmed al-Sharaa took over as Syria's new president after he led an insurgency against the regime led by Bashard al-Assad. He was previously an al-Qaeda commander but severed ties with the group before leading the fight against Assad. Since taking office in January, he has been calling for sanctions to be lifted on Syria, which were imposed during the previously regime. The US scrapped a $10m bounty for al-Sharaa in December following diplomatic meetings. The United States is to lift all sanctions on Syria, Donald Trump announced on Tuesday. The removal of sanctions, at the behest of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia, represents a major US policy shift. US sanctions isolated Syria from the global financial system and imposed a range of economic restrictions on the government throughout more than a decade of civil war. Syria's economy went bankrupt and more than halved between 2010 and 2021, according to official Syrian data cited by the World Bank, which said this was likely to be an underestimate. Mohammed Barnieh, the country's finance minister, said on Tuesday that the lifting of sanctions 'will help Syria in building its institutions, providing essential services to the people and will create great opportunities to attract investment and restore confidence in Syria's future'. Donald Trump is gearing up for his first event of the day, a Gulf Cooperation Council Leaders' meeting at the Ritz Carlton in Riyadh at 8am (UK time). The US president will then head to King Khalid International Airport, where he will depart for Qatar at 10.15am. He will arrive in Qatar at 11.30am before arriving at the Amiri Diwan government office in Doha at 12pm. Mr Trump will then be hosted in a Qatari State Dinner at Lusail Palace from 6pm. Good morning and welcome to our live coverage as Donald Trump continues his tour of the Middle East. The US president has a few final meetings in Riyadh this morning before heading to Qatar. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
