The Defence Ministry is likely to decide on the deal to acquire US-made Predator drones at a meeting scheduled to be held on Thursday, June 15, government sources told. The deal has been in the works for several years On Wednesday, news agency Reuters reported that the Biden administration is pushing the Indian government to give nod to the deal ahead of PM Modi’s visit. The US State Department, Pentagon and White House have asked India to be able to “show” progress on the deal, according to the Reuters report.
As per the initial plans, the deal will see the acquisition of 30 American Predator high-altitude long-endurance drones equipped with strike capability, including missiles. The drones were to be equally distributed among the three services and operated for surveillance along the border areas.
The drones under discussion — the MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones — are made by General Atomics, an American energy and defence company. The high-altitude long-endurance drones come armed with strike missiles which can take out enemy targets with a high accuracy.
India is currently operating two predator drones which were hired on lease from an American firm and they have been helping the Navy to keep track of activities in the Indian Ocean region.
