India-China standoff: How India intends to combat China's GJ-1 and GJ-2 armed drones along LAC in eastern Ladakh
GJ-1 and GJ-2 are part of Wing Loong I and Wing Loong II systems capable of striking targets and can launch small air-to-ground missiles.
GJ-1 and GJ-2 armed drones
According to China's state-run Global Times, the People's Liberation Army(PLA) is set to deploy GJ-1 and GJ-2 armed reconnaissance drones along the Line of Actual Control(LAC) as forces from both sides deescalate in eastern Ladakh.
The proposal was reportedly floated by Chinese legislator Hou Yun who is also the country's commander in the PLA. Hou Yun is set to submit the proposal at this year's two sessions.
The Global Times report says PLA could use large, fixed-wing drones like the GJ-1 and GJ-2 armed reconnaissance drones.
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PLA had deployed drones during Galwan clash
Global Times in its report said during the Galwan clash, the PLA had deployed drones developed by Shenzhen Keweitai Enterprise Development Co, a private firm, to conduct reconnaissance missions.
GJ-1 and GJ-2 are part of Wing Loong I and Wing Loong II systems capable of striking targets and can launch small air-to-ground missiles.
The GJ-2 drone was presented during the 2019 National Day in China, although the number of GJ-1s, and GJ-2 UAVs is still unknown. GJ-2 is a remotely controlled drone used for surveillance including striking enemy targets.
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China's Rainbow military drones
China has been ramping up its drone programme and has even started exporting them. China’s much touted Rainbow military drones were eyed by several countries including Saudi Arabia, Iraq and “10 other” nations.
A few years ago, the Iraqi defence ministry had released a video showing a Chinese made drone -CH-4B - carrying out a missile attack on an Islamic State target.
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'Halo of six long blades'
The bomb is designed to pull 100 pounds of metal directly into a top of a car or a building while keeping civilians out of the target area minimising casualties.
The bomb has different payloads and reportedly has a "halo of six long blades" which is used to target terrorists.
It is also sometimes described as a "meteor full of swords".
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India has also requested for six MQ-9 drones
According to reports, India has placed an order for 30 Reaper drones for its forces at the cost of $3 billion to the national exchequer.
Reports say India has also requested for six MQ-9 drones from the US at the cost of $600 million.
A report earlier in the year had stated that India had listed 22 MQ-9 Reaper (Predator B) drones as a requirement for its forces. Now, with the volatile situation along the LAC, Indian defence authorities view the drones as a "gamechanger".
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Drones that fly under 800 km/ph
Under the reinterpretation, the United States says it will treat drones that fly under 800 kilometres per hour, including Reapers made by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc and Global Hawks made by Northrop Grumman Corp, as if they belong in a lower category that falls outside MTCR jurisdiction. No longer subject to the MTCR’s high bar.
The move was made looking into the demands of several countries including India which now has a consistent defence policy with the United States
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US helps India to combat China
The former Trump administration's arms policy was based on broad basing its defence strategy and allow countries like India which deal directly with China on all fronts to arm them with resources consistent with their demand.
Reinterpreting the MTCR was part of the former Trump administration's broad effort to sell more weapons overseas, according to a report by Reuters.
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MQ-9 Reaper hunter killer
The US Predator drone is widely believed to be the best in the world. The sophisticated hunter-killer MQ-9 Reaper with its deadly hellfire missiles, GBU-12 Paveway II and GBU-38 JDAMs is an all out modern weapon built for the kill.
The US had used the MQ-9 missile strike at Baghdad International Airport earlier this year which killed Iran's Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the commander of Iraqi forces.
Western military analysts say Iran often exaggerates its weapons capabilities, though concerns about its long-range ballistic missile programme contributed to Washington leaving Tehran's 2015 nuclear pact with world powers.
(Photograph:AFP)