The drone was navigated to a safe area over the sea and carried out a controlled ditching at sea off Chennai, it stated.
The Indian Navy said that a MQ-9B Predator High Altitude Long Endurance Remotely Piloted Aircraft (HALE RPA) encountered a technical failure on Wednesday, after which the aircraft was navigated to a safe area over the sea and carried out a controlled ditching at sea off Chennai.
“A High Altitude Long Endurance Remotely Piloted Aircraft (HALE RPA) leased by the Indian Navy operating from INS Rajali, Arakonnam (near Chennai) encountered a technical failure at about 1400 hrs whilst on a routine surveillance mission which could not be reset in flight,” the Ministry of Defence said
Later, the drone was navigated to a safe area over the sea and carried out a controlled ditching at sea off Chennai, it stated.
“A detailed report has been sought from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM),” it added.