India and U.S. Finalize $3.1 Billion Predator Drone Deal, Plan for Indigenous UAV Development

As part of the $3.1 billion agreement for 31 MQ-9B Predator drones between India and the United States, American officials have proposed offering consultancy to Indian entities to develop an advanced indigenous unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The drone deal, which has been under discussion for several years, will equip India's three military services with these advanced drones, with the Navy set to receive 15, and the Air Force and Army receiving eight each.

The proposal for consultancy is expected to be discussed and cleared at the upcoming Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) meeting, defense sources told ANI. This would be the first DAC meeting under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's third term, marking a significant step towards boosting indigenization in the defense sector under Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

Sources indicate that the consultancy is anticipated to significantly reduce the development time for an advanced Indian UAV. The MQ-9B drones are set to be deployed at strategic locations, including INS Rajaji near Chennai and Porbandar in Gujarat by the Indian Navy, while the Air Force and Army will jointly base them at Sarsawa and Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh, due to the long runway requirements of these aircraft.

General Atomics, the American firm involved in the government-to-government deal, has been in discussions with Indian officials over the past few weeks. The deployment of these drones is expected to enhance military surveillance capabilities along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, stretching from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh.

The Indian Navy has led the negotiations for this tri-service level deal, which is poised to bolster India’s surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, particularly in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and along its borders with China and Pakistan. The MQ-9B drones, which require significant runway lengths available at Indian Air Force bases, have a flight endurance of over 36 hours at altitudes exceeding 40,000 feet. These drones can be armed with Hellfire air-to-ground missiles and smart bombs, making them a formidable asset for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.

The U.S. has provided India with a letter of acceptance for the drones at an estimated cost of around $4 billion, but India plans to negotiate a lower price by opting for a more tailored package. The Predator drones, already proven in safeguarding India's security interests during anti-piracy operations, are expected to significantly enhance India's ability to conduct unmanned patrols and surveillance missions, both in the maritime domain and along its contentious land borders.

The deal is seen as a strategic boost for India’s defense capabilities and a step forward in strengthening the Indo-U.S. defense partnership, particularly in the context of the Indo-Pacific region's security dynamics.