The US State Department has given the go-ahead for the possible sale of 31 armed MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones, related missiles, and equipment to India for nearly $4 billion. This comes after years of discussions between the two nations about such a deal.
India has long expressed interest in buying large, armed drones from the United States, but certain bureaucratic hurdles have hindered progress towards finalizing the potential agreement.
This approval by the State Department does not guarantee the signing of the deal, but it signifies a step forward as the US continues its efforts to steer India away from purchasing Russian military equipment.
The deal will now be confirmed after approval from the US Congress.
The mega drone deal, announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington in June 2023, offers significant potential to further advance bilateral strategic technology and military cooperation in the region.
At present, India is leasing a few MQ-9Bs as part of an intelligence-gathering operation. The deal includes sophisticated communications and surveillance equipment, 170 AGM-114R Hellfire missiles, and 310 Laser Small Diameter Bombs, a precision glide bomb.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems will be the principal contractor, according to reports.
The Pentagon has said that the proposed drone deal with India “will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to strengthen the US-Indian strategic relationship.”
(With inputs from various agencies)
