US Armed Drones For India

As part of the deal, India and the US have also agreed to set up a maintenance, repair and overhaul facility for the 31 MQ-9B Predator armed drones in the country

The Defence Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today

The US on Thursday approved the sale of 31 MQ-9B armed drones to India at an estimated cost of USD 3.99 billion, an acquisition that will bolster India's capability to meet current and future threats by enabling unmanned surveillance and reconnaissance patrols in sea lanes of operation. The proposed mega drone deal was announced during the historic State Visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi here in June 2023. The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of India of MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of USD 3.99 billion, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said here in a statement. The Agency said it has delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on Thursday. This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to strengthen the US-Indian strategic relationship and to impro

Media reports suggest that the Biden administration is urging India to iron out bureaucratic hurdles and take forward a long-awaited deal for US- made armed drones

Earlier this year, the IAF had requested the US Government for the General Atomics Predator C Avenger aircraft