In January 2025, India joined which European drone program as an observer?

Correct option is B

The correct answer is (b) Eurodrone

Explanation:
• India joined the Eurodrone program as an observer in January 2025 to monitor developments in MALE (Medium Altitude Long Endurance) RPAS technology.
• The program is a collaborative effort involving Germany, France, Italy, and Spain under the management of OCCAR.
• This move signifies India's interest in diversifying its defense technology partnerships beyond traditional suppliers.
• Participation as an observer allows India to understand the operational and technical standards of European unmanned systems.
• It aligns with India's broader strategy to enhance its surveillance capabilities along its borders.

Information Booster:
• The Eurodrone is designed to perform Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions.
• It is intended to operate in non-segregated airspace, a key requirement for modern military drones.

Additional Knowledge:
Predator XP (Option a)
• This is an American UAV by General Atomics; India has already pursued MQ-9B variants from the US.
Global Hawk (Option c)
• This is a HALE (High Altitude Long Endurance) drone manufactured by Northrop Grumman (USA).
nEUROn (Option d)
• This is an experimental Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) stealth program led by Dassault Aviation.

So the correct answer is (b)