Indian Defence Ministry Has Approved Predator Drone Deal With The US

Indian Defence Ministry is said to have approved for purchase of 31 General Atomics MQ9 Reaper drones from the US agency. Lt General (retd) DS Hooda in an interview with Parikshit Luthra (CNBC-TV18) talks how the MQ9 drones deal would be a significant addition.

Says, "the MQ9 deal will be a huge boost to the Indian Defence Forces".

MQ9 is also called Predator B, that has uses both in Surveillance & Armed Defense applications, which is capable of remotely controlled or fully autonomous flight operations. Developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems originally for US Air Force, it is the first hunter-killer UAV designed as well for long-endurance, high-altitude surveillance and is in development & operations since 2001.

About 8 of these 31 procured is rumoured to be attached to the Indian Army, another 8 for the Indian Air Force and the remaining 15 for the Indian Navy operations. It is intended to be deployed & operated purely for defence purposes along the land borders and coastal borders for surveillance, however if time demands could be utilised as a lethal Air-Defence device.

PM Modi's upcoming US visit is going to be a big year of geopolitics for India and is one of the most important diplomatic visits of 2023. The PM will travel to the US from 21 June to 24 June on what is his first official state visit to the country.

The procurement is significantly also said to have an agreement to include important technology transfer as part of the deal.

MQ9 is going to boost not just the morale, but also the capability of India's defense over the Chinese drones, the country which shares a border along the Himalayan ranges. As witnessed recently, during pandemic on video about the borderline friction, it makes it all necessary for India to increase and stay ahead both on surveillance and the fire power which this machine is going to bring with it.