India to purchase 31 Drones from US in a $3.5 billion deal
India’s Ministry of Defense announced on Tuesday that it signed an agreement to purchase 31 MQ-9 B drones worth $3.5 billion from the United States. The new drones are expected to enhance India’s surveillance and intelligence capabilities significantly.
India began negotiations with the U.S. to purchase these drones in 2017.
The Indian Ministry of Defense stated that 15 of the 31 drones are designated for the Navy, and 8 will be allocated to the Army and Air Force.
Another notable feature of the MQ-9 B Predator is its ability to be deployed on long missions in any weather. It is also equipped with air-to-air missiles and air-to-ground missiles.
This drone can fly 2,000 miles without refueling and carry up to 1,700 kilograms of payload, which includes four missiles and around 450 kilograms of bombs.
It is worth mentioning that this agreement comes less than a month after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Joe Biden discussed purchasing drones on the sidelines of the Quad Leaders’ Summit.
As part of the agreement between India and the U.S., General Atomics, the manufacturer of the drones, will establish a maintenance and repair facility in India.
This new agreement is seen as a sign of the growing defense relations between India and the United States, as well as Delhi’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its defense capabilities.
The deal also underscores India’s commitment to modernizing its military infrastructure and expanding its strategic partnership with the U.S., aligning with broader goals of enhancing national security and technological advancement.
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