During Indian PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington, which is scheduled for 22 June, the US government will seek to push through New Delhi’s scepticism surrounding American armed drones.
Overview
In a Reuters exclusive, two sources “familiar with the matter” said that the US State Department, Pentagon, and the White House had asked New Delhi to show progress on a deal for 30 armed MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones.
During Modi’s meeting with US President Joe Biden, the pair will likely discuss the “co-production of munities and ground vehicles, like armoured personnel carriers.”
The deal has been in the works for several years, with India looking to purchase SeaGuardian drones worth $2-3 billion.
India will secure the drones through the US Foreign Military Sales route if successful. The equipment will be equally divided between the Indian Navy, Army, and Air Force.
All members of the Quad — the US, India, Australia, and Japan — have operated the drones. India has currently leased the SeaGuardian drones through the grouping’s “intelligence-gathering operation.”
2) The MQ-9 is a satellite-steered High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) drone. It can fly at an altitude of 45,000 feet and stay on task for 35 hours.
— Indo-Pacific News - Geo-Politics & Military News (@IndoPac_Info) June 14, 2023
It has sensors like radar and electronic support measures which locate the enemy and can attack targets with bombs and missiles. pic.twitter.com/lOop0i8abb
By purchasing the SeaGuardian drones, India would become the first non-NATO ally to secure armed unmanned aerial vehicles from the US, strengthening its resolve to protect its northern and western borders and its coastline along the Indo-Pacific.
Previous Issues with Deal
Previously, bureaucratic hurdles have blocked the successful conclusion of the deal. This will require the US and India to conclude an “Acceptance of Necessity” document, which will be a “precursor” to India’s formal “Letter of Request” for sale. However, the sources cited by Reuters were unsure whether New Delhi had signed the document.
The senior Biden administration official said, “That’s [going to] be a decision that the government of India needs to make … We think it would be good for them to go through with the purchase of MQ-9s. But those decisions are sort of more in the hands of India than they are of us.”
The sources added that the Indian Defence Ministry is unclear on the number of drones it needs to purchase. While the number was initially 30, it was revised to 24, and finally, 18 in April. Nevertheless, these numbers are not final either.
However, with Biden’s reliance on its partnership with India being central to his anti-China foreign policy, collaboration on “advanced military technologies” despite the absence of a “formal security alliance” will be critical.
Meanwhile, the US is also seeking to reduce India’s reliance on Russia for defence to help cut Moscow’s funding for the Ukraine War.