India Signs $4 Billion Deal With US For 31 Predator Drones

NEW DELHI, (ANI) – India has signed a $4 billion deal with the US to buy 31 Predator drones and setting up a maintenance, repair and overhaul facility for them in India.

The Cabinet Committee on Security approved the acquisition of 31 Predator drones of which 15 will go to the Indian Navy, while the rest will be divided equally between the Air Force and the Army.

The MQ-9B Predator drone is categorized as a high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle. The drone can fly for 40 hours at a time at altitudes over 40,000 feet.

Apart from its surveillance capabilities, the MQ-9B is armed with strike missiles, allowing it to hit targets with high precision. It is capable of automatic take-offs and landings and can safely integrate into civil airspace. 

India has been discussing the deal with the US for many years, but the final hurdles were cleared a few weeks ago at the Defense Acquisition Council meeting, as it had to be cleared before October 31 as the validity of the American proposal was till that time only.

India would be basing the drones at four possible locations including INS Rajali near Chennai, Porbandar in Gujarat, Sarsawa and Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh.

The Indian military has acquired the drones from the US in a tri-services deal with the numbers decided by the forces after a scientific study.