The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is expected to clear the acquisition of 31 MQ-9B Predator drones—the high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) developed by the US-based General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI)—for India's defence forces.
The $3.1 billion dollar acquisition will happen via government to government route and there will not be any third party involved in the deal, according to an exclusive report by Hindustan Times.
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While the government has not commented on approving the deal, the HT report says it is understood to be before the CCS after it was approved by the finance ministry.
While the Indian Navy will get 16 of these MQ-9B Predator drones, the remaining will be distributed between the Air Force and Army. The deal includes a mix of SeaGuardian and SkyGuardian variants of the drone.
An advanced variant of the MQ-9 Reaper, MQ-9B Predator can carry up to 5,670 kg of payload and can fly at speeds of up to 275 miles per hour. These drones can be equipped with up to four Hellfire missiles and laser-guided bombs.
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The MQ-9B Predator drones can aid a variety of overland and maritime Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions of the three services, apart from boosting their anti-warfare, anti-surface, and electronic warfare capabilities. These drones can operate at an altitude of over 40,000 feet and have about 40 fly hours.
The drones will crank up the surveillance apparatus of the armed forces, especially along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.
A few of the drones that will be acquired from the US will be assembled in India with about 30 per cent indigenous content.
