India has signed a significant defense deal with the United States to procure 31 MQ-9B Predator drones from General Atomics under a government-to-government agreement, officials announced on Tuesday. The deal, valued at ₹32,000 crore, includes a plan to establish a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility in India. The acquisition was finalized in the presence of senior officials from both nations.
As part of the agreement, the Indian Navy will receive 15 Sea Guardian drones, while the Indian Air Force and Army will each receive eight Sky Guardian drones. This procurement aims to enhance India’s surveillance capabilities, especially in key areas such as the border with China.
The decision to move forward with the deal follows years of discussions between the two countries, with the final approvals coming during the Defence Acquisition Council’s recent meetings. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) had given the green light for the acquisition last week.
MQ-9B Predator Drones: Key Features
The MQ-9B drones, known as “hunter-killers,” are equipped to significantly enhance the surveillance and strike capabilities of India’s armed forces. These drones, capable of flying for over 35 hours at high altitudes, can carry up to four Hellfire missiles and 450 kilograms of bombs, making them a potent tool for both reconnaissance and combat operations. They are a variant of the MQ-9 “Reaper” drone, which was notably used to eliminate al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in Kabul in July 2022.
This acquisition represents a major step in bolstering India’s defense infrastructure and reflects the growing strategic ties between India and the U.S., particularly in the defense sector.
