Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 08:57am on 31 Aug 2026,Monday Defence
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed to have shot down a US MQ-9 Reaper over the Strait of Hormuz, though Washington had not confirmed the loss. The $50 million Reaper is a long-endurance combat drone capable of surveillance and precision strikes. India also operates MQ-9B Sea Guardians, but they serve a different role. India’s Sea Guardians are primarily used for long-range maritime surveillance and can remain airborne for about 30 hours. The Navy currently operates four leased drones, while India has ordered 31 MQ-9B drones under a Rs 32,000 crore deal, with deliveries expected from 2029. (PC: India Today)
