The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved the acquisition of 31 Predator drones last week. India will procure 31 Predator drones from the US defense major, General Atomics, under a government-to-government framework, officials said on Tuesday.

The two countries today signed the much-anticipated deal. The Indian Navy will get 15 Sea Guardian drones whereas the Indian Air Force and Army will receive eight Sky Guardian drones each, reported PTI.

Under the ₹32000 crore deal, a maintenance, repair and overhaul facility will also be launched in India, The deals were signed by both sides in the presence of senior officials, said defence officials.

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved the acquisition of 31 Predator drones last week.

The American team of military and corporate officials are in India for the inking of these contracts.

Top Indian defence officials, including Joint Secretary and Acquisition Manager for the naval systems, were slated to be present during the signing ceremony.

India had been discussing the deal with the US for many years but the final hurdles were cleared a few weeks ago at the Defence Acquisition Council meeting.

What are Predator drones?

The MQ-9B ‘hunter-killer’ drones will crank up the surveillance apparatus of the armed forces, especially along the contested frontier with China.

In June last year, the Defence Ministry approved the procurement of the MQ-9B Predator armed drones from the US under a government-to-government framework.

The MQ-9B drone is a variant of the MQ-9 “Reaper” which was used to launch a modified version of the Hellfire missile that eliminated al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in the heart of Kabul in July 2022.

Also read: Centre clears crucial plan for submarines, Predator drones

The high-altitude long-endurance drones are capable of remaining airborne for over 35 hours and can carry four Hellfire missiles and around 450 kgs of bombs.

The Sea Guardian drones are being procured as they can carry out a variety of roles including maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare and over-the-horizon targeting among others.

The high-altitude long-endurance drones are capable of remaining airborne for over 35 hours and can carry four Hellfire missiles and around 450 kgs of bombs.

In a landmark defense agreement, India has finalized a deal with the United States to procure 31 MQ-9B Predator drones. The contract, valued at approximately $3.5 billion, represents a significant boost to India’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilities. The agreement was signed during high-level discussions, underscoring the strengthening strategic ties between the two nations amidst growing regional security challenges.

The acquisition includes 15 drones for the Indian Navy, 8 for the Indian Air Force, and 8 for the Indian Army, ensuring a balanced distribution across military branches. The Predator drones, known for their precision strike and surveillance capabilities, will enhance India’s ability to monitor and respond to threats across land and maritime domains. With an impressive range of over 6,000 nautical miles and endurance of up to 40 hours, these drones are ideal for long-duration intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.

This deal is part of India’s ongoing efforts to modernize its defense forces and reduce dependency on traditional platforms. The MQ-9B drones will play a crucial role in securing India’s vast borders and exclusive economic zone, especially given increasing tensions in the Indo-Pacific region and along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

The procurement also highlights the deepening defense collaboration between with India’s “Make in India” initiative, as the deal incorporates provisions for local maintenance and support to boost indigenous defense capabilities.

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