India-US ties: Govt eyes $8-bn defence deal for 100 Avenger Predator drones

High-speed Avenger can perform wide-area surveillance, time-sensitive strike missions over land and sea

Setting the stage for high-value defence purchases, India is reportedly buying 100 jet-propelled Avenger predator drones from the United States (US) costing an estimated $8 billion for the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The high-speed Avenger is a long-endurance, medium-to-high-altitude Remotely Piloted Aircraft system that can perform wide-area surveillance and time-sensitive strike missions over both land and sea.

Compared with the current Predator-series aircraft, the aircraft has a much higher operational and transit speeds, resulting in rapid repositioning for improved mission flexibility and survivability.

In her first major agreement with foreign officials, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will meet US