The US Congress cleared the Predator drone deal in a big boost for India’s defence this week, people familiar with the deal told CNN-News18. People familiar with the developments also said that the US State Department informed Predator Drone manufacturer General Atomics about the decision taken by the US Congress.
The aforementioned people said the US Congress this week cleared the ‘tiered review’ of the sale of 31 MQ-9B HALE UAVs/drones to India and the sale of the MQ-9B Predator drones to India will be notified today.
These MQ-9Bs will be a major upgrade for the Indian Navy.
Officials also quashed rumours that were circulating regarding the fate of deal with respect to the alleged murder-for-hire plot on US soil where there were allegations that Indian officials targeted Khalistani separatist element Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The people mentioned above said that the matter is irrelevant and hardly affects the important bilateral relationship between both nations.
The deal was announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit last year. The procurement of these drones will enhance Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities of the Indian military.
In June 2023, US President Joe Biden and PM Modi approved India’s acquisition of Predator drones from General Atomics. The significant agreement also permits American Navy ships to undergo major repairs at Indian shipyards.
These drones will be assembled in India and as part of this plan makers General Atomics said, as per an India-US joint statement from last year, it will establish a comprehensive global MRO facility in India.
The agreement has the potential to strengthen India’s national security and surveillance capabilities, which extend beyond the Indian Ocean and encompasses the areas near the India-China border.
The Quad nations – the US, India, Australia, and Japan – use or have used the MQ-9B SeaGuardian drone. India currently leases MQ-9Bs for intelligence gathering.
The MQ-9 Reaper, also known as Predators, can fly continuously for up to 36 hours, enabling focused monitoring of specific points or areas of interest. The 31 Predators that India will procure will be jointly operated by the tri-services.
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