India secures US$ 4 billion predator drone deal with the US

India and the US have signed a ₹34,500 crore (approximately US$ 4 billion) deal for 31 Predator drones to enhance India’s military surveillance and strike capabilities. The agreement, under the Foreign Military Sales program, includes drones for the Navy, Air Force, and Army, with components to be produced in India. The MQ-9B drones will bolster border monitoring, particularly along the Indo-Pacific and China border. Additionally, the deal includes a partnership for local production and a global maintenance hub.

India and the United States have finalized a ₹34,500 crore (approximately US$ 4 billion) deal to acquire 31 Predator drones, significantly boosting India’s military surveillance and strike capabilities. This agreement, a major step in US-India defence relations, includes the purchase of 15 Sea Guardians for the Indian Navy, while the Air Force and Army will each receive eight Sky Guardians. These drones will strengthen India’s monitoring of its coastal and maritime borders, especially along the contested border with China.

The deal was approved by India’s Defence Acquisition Council earlier this year, with final approval granted by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) last week. The agreement also falls under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program which simplifies defence transactions between the two nations.

These long-range, armed drones, equipped with advanced surveillance and targeting systems, will play a key role in gathering intelligence and conducting precision strikes. The Indian Navy, which already leases two Predator drones, will station its new drones at INS Rajali near Chennai and Porbandar in Gujarat. The Air Force and Army will base their drones at Sarsawa and Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh.

Beyond the purchase, the deal includes a partnership between Predator manufacturer General Atomics and Bharat Forge to produce drone components in India. General Atomics will also set up a global maintenance hub for drones in the country and offer consultancy services to help India develop its own combat drones domestically.

This acquisition underscores India’s commitment to modernizing its defence forces and bolstering its national security, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. The deal, approved by the US Congress earlier this year, is expected to be fully executed by the end of 2024.