India signs Rs 32,000 crore historic deal for 31 Predator drones from US

India has signed a deal with the US to acquire 31 Predator drones, enhancing its defense, surveillance, and combat capabilities. The MQ-9B drones will strengthen India’s maritime and border security, marking a major step in India-US defense ties.

India and the US finalised a Rs 32,000 crore deal for 31 Predator drones, which will further enhance the surveillance capabilities of the Indian Army. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on Tuesday approved the acquisition, with 15 drones being supplied to the Navy and the remaining split equally between the Army and Air Force.

Deal signing 

A foreign military sales agreement was signed on Tuesday for a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in India. The US military and corporate representatives are already in India to formalise the deal. The ceremony was attended by top Indian Defense officials, including Joint Secretary for Naval Systems and Acquisition Manager.

Strategic discussion 

The long-term deal went off the air a few weeks ago at a Defense Acquisition Council meeting. India will deploy drones to places like INS Rajali near Chennai, Porbandar and Sarsawa in Gujarat, and Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh. The drones were acquired through a tri-services deal based on a scientific analysis of military needs.