A PTI News article quoted official sources stating that India and the US are seeking to conclude a $3 billion deal for 30 MQ-9B predator armed drones, adding that the “ball is now in India’s court.”
However, the source did not provide any further details about the administrative and regulatory obstacles to the deal.
Overview
India and the US have been working on this deal for over five years now. Although it was announced in 2017, the agreement has yet to be concluded.
🇮🇳 NSA Ajit Doval met 🇺🇸 Secretary of State Antony Blinken @SecBlinken today. Both sides exchanged views on a wide range of global and regional issues of mutual interest and how to further strengthen the #India- U.S. Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. pic.twitter.com/HRypwr5oxj
— India in USA (@IndianEmbassyUS) February 1, 2023
Reports suggest that the conclusion of the deal was discussed during the recent National Security Adviser-level meet between Ajit K. Doval and his American counterpart Jake Sullivan.
Once concluded, each of the armed services — the army, air force, and navy — will be given ten drones each.
MQ-9B Drones
The drones have the ability to stay airborne for over 35 hours and can carry 450 kilograms of bombs. It is the first “hunter-killer unmanned aerial vehicle” that can operate for longer durations and at higher altitudes.
The MQ-9B predator-armed drones will help India’s armed forces improve surveillance along its borders and the Indian Ocean. Since 2020, the Indian Navy has had two MQ-9B drones on lease, which it uses for surveillance in the Indian Ocean.
Meanwhile, for the US, the deal will create jobs and prove to be beneficial for the next presidential elections.
According to Vivek Lall, chief executive of General Atomics Global Corporation, the drones will allow the Indian armed forces to “fly farther than anything else in this category, spend more time in the air and handle a greater diversity of missions than any other similar aircraft.”
They are also capable of delivering “full-motion video” in varying weather conditions and at night, and can be equipped with special payloads for specific missions as well.
Apart from India, Japan, Belgium, and the UK are in the process of including these drones in their respective arsenals.
The drone was used during the US’ mission in Kabul, wherein they used a Hellfire missile to kill Al Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri in July 2022. It was also reportedly used to kill Iranian General Qasem Soleimani in Iraq in 2020.