Eye on China, India & US sign deals worth Rs 32,000cr for 31 Predator drones

NEW DELHI: India and the United States have signed deals worth Rs 32,000 crore for the acquisition of 31 Predator drones, which will be distributed among the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.

The deals also include the establishment of a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility for the drones within India.

"The deals were signed by both sides in presence of senior officials," defence officials said.

Read also: India clears two mega defence projects for 2 indigenous nuclear submarines & 31 Predator drones

The procurement of these advanced "hunter-killer" drones, capable of operating at high altitudes for extended periods, will significantly enhance India's military capabilities in conducting long-range strategic intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, as well as precision strikes against high-value targets. This acquisition is particularly crucial in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), where China has been rapidly expanding its naval presence and establishing turnaround facilities.

Under the terms of the government-to-government deal, which received approval from the Prime Minister-led cabinet committee on security on October 9, the deliveries of the 31 remotely-piloted aircraft systems, along with Hellfire missiles, GBU-39B precision-guided glide bombs, navigation systems, sensor suites, and mobile ground control systems, will commence in approximately four years and be completed within six years, according to a defence ministry official.

India intends to deploy the MQ-9B drones at ISR command and control centers located at Arakkonam and Porbandar for the IOR, and Sarsawa and Gorakhpur for the land borders. The Predator or Reaper drones are currently operated by a select group of NATO countries and close military allies of the United States. These drones are controlled via satellite and have a proven track record in precision strikes in Afghanistan and other conflicts.

Also read: Top 10 countries with most military drones in the world

However, some critics argue that the drones have primarily operated in "uncontested air space" without facing opposition from hostile air forces or advanced surface-to-air missile systems.

The MQ-9B contract will be the second largest deal that India has signed with the United States, following the induction of 11 C-17 Globemaster-III strategic-airlift aircraft by the Indian Air Force at a cost of around $4.5 billion. Additionally, the Indian Navy has inducted 12 P-8I long-range maritime patrol aircraft from the US for $3.2 billion.

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