India will procure 31 Predator drones from US defence major General Atomics under government-to-government framework, officials confirmed on Tuesday.
The deal was signed in presence of top defence and strategic brass of India in New Delhi.
The much-anticipated drone deal, which will give India's forces an edge over land, sky, and sea, boosting the surveillance capabilities of the three forces, will cost India Rs 32,000 crore. The high-altitude long-endurance drones can stay airborne for over 35 hours and can carry four Hellfire missiles and around 450 kgs of bombs.
The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) had, on October 9, approved the procurement of 31 Predator long-endurance drones from the US. According to the deal, the Indian Navy will get 15 Sea Guardian drones, while the Indian Air Force and the Army will each get eight Sky Guardian drones.
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The SeaGuardian drones are capable of carrying out a variety of roles including maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, and over-the-horizon targeting among others. These drones will enhance the surveillance apparatus of the forces, especially along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.
General Atomics describes SeaGuardian thus: "This highly versatile maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft can seamlessly integrate a centerline wide-area maritime radar, an automatic identification system, electronic support measures, and a self-contained anti-submarine warfare (ASW) mission kit. SeaGuardian not only integrates the most advanced maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, but it is also the first RPAS in its class to enable real-time search and patrol above and below the ocean’s surface."
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SkyGuardian drones are designed to fly over the horizon via satellite for up to 40 in all types of climatic conditions. The operations that it can aid include search and rescue operations, defensive counter-air operations, electronic warfare, and disaster relief among others.
