India, US Sign Deal Worth Rs 32,000 Cr For Buying 31 Predator Drones

India and the US signed deals worth Rs 32,000 crore for buying 31 Predator drones for the three services and setting up a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facility for them in the country.

The deal between India and the US was signed in the presence of senior officials, according to defence officials.

Last week, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved the acquisition of 31 Predator drones. Of these 31 Predator drones, 15 will go to the Indian Navy, while the rest will be divided equally between the Air Force and the Army.

Speaking to ANI on Monday, defence officials said that the foreign military sales contract with the US government for 31 Predator drones and the MRO was scheduled to be signed on Tuesday. The American team of military and corporate officials are in town for signing these contracts, the officials said.

Hemant Jain, President of PHDCCI, said that this deal will have a very strategic impact on India’s position in the South Asian region. The Predator drones, equipped with advanced sensors and long-endurance capabilities, can significantly improve India's Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations. “This will enhance our ISR capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), where China’s presence has been growing. The drones can also be used for monitoring India's land borders with Pakistan and China. They can also serve as a force multiplier, enhancing India’s ability to conduct cross-border operations or engage in counter-terrorism missions,” Jain added.

Jain also said that the deal reflects the growing defence and strategic partnership between India and the United States. The deepening military collaboration serves as a counterbalance to China’s influence in the region. It also alarms our hostile neighbours that India is committed to enhancing its defence posture. This also indicates that we are inducting the most advanced defence technologies from friendly nations to show our deterrence to any act of aggression by the neighbouring countries.

India has 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, as it had to be cleared before 31 October as the validity of the American proposal was till that time only.

India would be basing the drones at four possible locations including INS Rajali near Chennai, Porbandar in Gujarat, Sarsawa and Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh. The Indian military has acquired the drones from the US in a tri-services deal with the numbers decided by the forces after a scientific study.