india

India signs deal with US to procure 31 Predator drones

Published

2 years ago

October 15, 2024

India

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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Tollywood

Peddi Day 8: Will Ram Charan Conquer Box Office Glory?

Published

2 weeks ago

June 12, 2026

Digital Post

Peddi: Impressive ₹200 Cr Box Office Chase

Peddi Day 8: Will Ram Charan Conquer Box Office Glory?

The film world is holding its breath as the much-anticipated sports action movie refuses to leave the spotlight. Audiences are caught up in a swirl of emotions as the initial box office storm transforms into an intriguing test of actual star power. It’s a fascinating story about ambition, lofty theatrical expectations, and the unexpected nature of moviegoers.

Each ticket sold represents a narrative of passion, commitment, and dramatic cinematic drama. Fans are closely following every update, wondering if this enormous spectacle can retain its beautiful momentum.

The Current Box Office Standing

The film grossed ₹6.30 crore in India on its eighth day. This milestone brings the domestic total to an amazing ₹193.55 crore net.

The aim of joining the prestigious double-century club is now agonisingly close. It’s an exciting countdown that has trade experts and moviegoers absolutely glued to the figures.

The audience’s emotional connection fuels the momentum. Despite natural weekday drops, the local regions are strongly supporting their favourite film idol.

Navigating The Weekday Dip

A post-weekend dip is an unavoidable fact for any major movie release in the modern era. The film’s revenue decreased by 16.6 percent from the previous day’s ₹7.55 crore.

This drop has generated heated debates on social media over the long-term viability of big-budget initiatives. However, the continual inflow of viewers demonstrates that the cinematic fire is far from doused.

The dip is a normal market stabilisation following a wildly tumultuous first week. It demonstrates how the initial frenzy transforms into a consistent, long-term theatrical run.

Global Glory And Mighty Milestones

On a worldwide scale, the sports drama paints a truly spectacular picture of financial success. The worldwide gross collection reached ₹279.35 crore.

International markets made a significant contribution to this large global pie. On Thursday, overseas viewers added an additional ₹60 lakhs, bringing the international revenue to ₹49.40 crore.

This pushes the global presence close to the ₹280 crore threshold. It demonstrates the undeniable appeal of large-scale Indian cinema on the global stage.

Regional Strongholds Keep Fighting

The regional market is the undisputed backbone of this incredible box office run. The Telugu territories alone earned ₹5.30 crore on the seventh day.

The film was aggressively screened in a network of 7,412 theatres around the country. The previous version had a reasonable and healthy occupancy rate of 20.35%.

Other regions contributed lesser but significant sums to the overall domestic collection. Karnataka and Tamil Nadu contributed ₹55 lakhs and ₹25 lakhs, respectively.

The North Indian Market Struggle

While the Southern states celebrate, the Hindi-speaking belt has a very different tale. Since its first publication, the Hindi-dubbed version has suffered significant challenges.

The Hindi market today contributes less than five percent of overall domestic earnings. Despite heavy promotion, it is still battling to reach the small net figure of ₹15 crore.

This sharp disparity demonstrates the complexities of managing a truly pan-India release. What causes utter panic in one location may have a peaceful response elsewhere.

Controversies And Creative Corrections

A storm of social media outrage has also harmed the film’s box office performance. Viewers loudly criticised specific sequences featuring Janhvi Kapoor’s role, claiming excessive objectification.

Responding to the growing public outrage, director Buchi Babu Sana took quick corrective action. To avoid offending the viewers, the production team carefully cut out the deceptive shots.

This proactive posture demonstrates a genuine respect for the emotions of modern filmgoers. It remains to be seen how this imaginative change will affect the approaching weekend crowds.

What Lies Directly Ahead

The approaching weekend is a make-or-break moment for this ambitious theatrical project. Crossing the illusive ₹200 crore domestic net mark is the immediate golden goal.

Audiences are curious to see if the fresh modifications will draw a more diverse audience. The large fanbase’s emotional investment will be crucial in this situation.

With new cinematic competition arriving in cinemas, the battle for screens will flare up. This cinematic giant’s genuine resilience will now be put to the ultimate test.

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