US to Advise India on UAVs in $3B Predator Drone Deal

US is set to provide consultancy to India for developing advanced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as part of the $3.1 billion MQ-9B Predator drone deal. This collaboration aims to bolster India’s indigenous UAV capabilities, enhancing its defense sector’s self-reliance.

Over the past few years, India and the US have engaged in extensive discussions regarding the acquisition of 31 MQ-9B Predator drones. This deal, poised to be a game-changer, will see the Indian Navy receiving 15 drones, while the Indian Air Force and Army will each get eight. The consultancy offer from the US, part of this government-to-government deal, is expected to be discussed and potentially approved at the upcoming Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) meeting, marking the first under Narendra Modi’s third term.

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The involvement of the American firm General Atomics, the manufacturer of the MQ-9B drones, underscores the strategic importance of this deal. Their officials have recently held discussions with Indian counterparts to fine-tune the consultancy details. This partnership is anticipated to significantly reduce the development time for an advanced Indian UAV, accelerating India’s defense technology advancements.

The MQ-9B drones will be strategically deployed across four locations in India, with the Navy stations at INS Rajali near Chennai and Porbandar in Gujarat. The Air Force will share bases with the Army at Sarsawa and Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh, chosen for their long runways required for the drones’ operations. These deployments will enhance India’s surveillance capabilities along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh.

The MQ-9B drones, known for their long endurance and high-altitude capabilities, can operate for over 36 hours at altitudes exceeding 40,000 feet. They are equipped with Hellfire air-to-ground missiles and smart bombs, making them formidable assets for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. The drones will significantly boost India’s ability to conduct unmanned patrols, particularly in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and along its contentious borders with China and Pakistan.

This deal is not only a leap forward for India’s defense capabilities but also a testament to the growing strategic partnership between India and the US. With the US providing consultancy for indigenous UAV development, India is poised to achieve greater self-reliance in defense technology, aligning with its broader indigenization goals.

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