A Predator fighter jet used by the Indian Navy crashed into the sea off the coast of Chennai last week due to failure of its generators and internal batteries, defense officials told India Today.
This incident happened last Wednesday afternoon during a regular surveillance campaign. The plane, an MQ-9B Predator leased from the American company General Atomics, had a technical problem that could not be resolved during the flight. As a result, the drone was deliberately guided to a safe place over the sea, where it was dropped in a controlled manner.
Under the terms of the contract, General Atomics is now required to replace the crashed plane to meet its operational obligations. The Indian Navy’s agreement with the American company, which was signed in 2020, mandates a certain number of flight hours every month. Officials noted that the mission cannot be completed in just one flight, and is expected to be replaced soon.
The Indian Navy, which operates these drones from INS Rajali in Arakkonam, Tamil Nadu, is seeking a detailed report from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to find out the cause of the accident.
India also plans to buy 31 more of the same drones to enhance its long-range surveillance capabilities.