Last Updated on 28/07/2024 by Ankita Jain
India and the US are to sign a deal for 31 MQ-9B Predator drones. Meanwhile, the US has offered to consult India for manufacturing advanced drones. This drone will have high-level capabilities for surveillance and reconnaissance. Let us tell you that India and the US have been talking to each other for a long time to finalize the tech deal. Under this deal, all three armies of India are to get drones to increase surveillance and domain awareness.
Discussion can take place on Monday
The US is now offering to provide consultancy for the development of advanced drone capabilities within the country. Defence sources told India Today that the proposal is likely to be put up for approval and discussion in the high-level meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council on Monday. If the US offer is approved, then Indian surveillance capabilities are expected to get a major boost in the Indian Ocean region as well as the high-altitude hills bordering Pakistan and China.
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The announcement was made during Modi’s US visit
India and the US had announced plans to sign a $4 billion deal for 31 High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) UAVs during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US last year. Meanwhile, Defence Ministry officials said the three armed forces are planning to equip 31 Predator drones with indigenous weapons. They said the plan is that when the drones are assembled in India, they will be strategically designed.
There is a plan to build three hubs
Top government officials told India Today that as per the plan, three hubs will be set up in the northern, northeastern and southern parts of the country to use drones. The biggest feature of the MQ-9B Reaper or Predator drone is that it can fly for about 40 hours at an altitude of more than 40 thousand feet. This drone is excellent for surveillance and attack and is capable of carrying out precise air-to-ground attacks.