New Delhi: The US on Thursday permitted the sale of 31 MQ-9B armed drones to India at an estimated value of USD 3.99 billion, an acquisition that may bolster India’s functionality to fulfill present and future threats by enabling unmanned surveillance and reconnaissance patrols in sea lanes of operation. The proposed mega drone deal was introduced throughout the historic State Visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi right here in June 2023.
“The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of India of MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of USD 3.99 billion,” the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) stated right here in a press release. The Agency stated it has delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this doable sale on Thursday.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to strengthen the US-Indian strategic relationship and to improve the security of a major defence partner, which continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia region,” the company stated.
“The proposed sale will improve India’s capability to meet current and future threats by enabling unmanned surveillance and reconnaissance patrols in sea lanes of operation,” it stated. India is procuring the long-endurance drones to bolster the surveillance capabilities of its armed forces, particularly alongside the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.
Under the deal, India will get 31 High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) UAVs, of which the Navy will get 15 SeaGuardian drones, whereas the Army and the Indian Air Force will get eight every of the land model – SkyGuardian.
Applauding that India has demonstrated a dedication to modernising its army, the DSCA stated, the South Asian nation may have no issue absorbing these articles and companies into its armed forces.
“The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region,” it stated and added, “There will be no adverse impact on US defence readiness as a result of this proposed sale.”
The principal contractor will probably be General Atomics Aeronautical Systems.
Earlier on Wednesday, State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller stated, “Congress plays an important role in the US arms transfer process. We routinely consult with members of Congress on the foreign affairs committees before our formal notification so we can address questions that they might have, but I don’t have any comment on when that formal notification might take place.”
His feedback got here in response to a query on the timeline for the US Congressional approval in addition to a media report that stated Washington had blocked the drone sale to India till New Delhi carried out an intensive probe into an Indian hyperlink to the failed plot to kill Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
American and Indian authorities officers have been holding a collection of negotiations on the proposed procurement after Washington responded to New Delhi’s Letter of Request for the acquisition of the drones from US defence main General Atomics.
The proposed procurement had additionally figured in US Defence Secretary Lloyd J Austin’s talks together with his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh in Delhi in November.
The Defence Acquisition Council headed by Singh on June 15 final yr accorded the Acceptance of Necessity or preliminary approval for the acquisition of 31 MQ-9B drones from the US beneath the international army sale route.
The SeaGuardian drones are being procured for the three companies as they will perform quite a lot of roles together with maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare and over-the-horizon focusing on, amongst others.
The High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) drones are able to remaining airborne for over 35 hours and might carry 4 Hellfire missiles and round 450 kgs of bombs.
In 2020, the Indian Navy had taken on lease two MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones from General Atomics for one yr for surveillance within the Indian Ocean. The lease interval has been prolonged subsequently.
