Chandigarh, October 15, 2024: India and the United States have formalized a deal to acquire 31 Predator drones, a significant step in enhancing India’s defense capabilities. The agreement, valued at ₹32,000 crore, comes after extensive negotiations between the two nations.
The deal, which was approved by the Union Cabinet Committee on Defense last week, was signed during a ceremony in India attended by senior officials and military representatives from both countries.
Notably, the decision to purchase these drones was first announced during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the U.S. last year.
U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller mentioned the deal’s significance, stating it would “significantly increase strategic technical cooperation and military cooperation” between India and the U.S.
With the addition of the MQ-9B Predator drones, the Indian Navy’s surveillance capabilities in the Indian Ocean are expected to enhance considerably.
The deal is part of the Foreign Military Sales Agreement and will see the Indian Navy receiving 15 drones, while the Air Force and Army will each receive eight.
As China expands its influence in the Indian Ocean, the Indian Navy is also taking steps to bolster its capabilities.
The MQ-9B Predator drone is an advanced version of the MQ-9 Reaper, known for its operational success, including a notable strike that killed Al-Qaeda leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri using a Hellfire missile.
The MQ-9B drone boasts impressive features, including the ability to fly for up to 40 hours at altitudes exceeding 40,000 feet. It is designed for both surveillance and precision strikes, capable of carrying up to 450 kg of munitions.
General Atomics, the manufacturer of the Predator drone, has partnered with Indian company Bharat Forge to produce components for the drones.
Moreover, General Atomics plans to establish a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) hub in India to support the drones’ upkeep and assist India in developing its own fighter drones.
