US Says Drones Will Help India’s Maritime Security

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WASHINGTON, DC (ANI) – The US has said MQ-9B drones will provide India with enhanced maritime security and maritime domain awareness capability.

“The sale of MQ-9B drones to India will provide the country with enhanced maritime security and maritime domain awareness capability. It offers India outright ownership of these aircraft, and this is something that we’ll continue to deepen our cooperation with our Indian partners on,” US State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said during a press briefing on February 5.

The US State Department recently notified Congress of a possible foreign military sale of 31 MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft or drones to India.

The US State Department and the manufacturer of the drones, General Atomics informed India, including the country’s top national security leadership, of the progress on the sale.

India’s deal with the US of almost $4 billion, paving the way for the acquisition of 31 state-of-the-art MQ-9B Sky Guardian drones, will not only propel India’s defense capabilities but also ensure a 16-fold increase in the number of aircraft, significantly enhancing New Delhi’s maritime security beyond the current lease agreement.

The drone deal is part of the broader efforts to strengthen defense ties between the United States and India.