In response to growing regional security concerns, India is accelerating negotiations to purchase 31 weaponized MQ-9B 'hunter-killer' drones from the United States. The deal, estimated at $3.9 billion, aims to bolster India's defense capabilities amid China and Pakistan's expanding drone arsenals.
The MQ-9B Reaper or Predator-B drones are known for their extensive intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities and long endurance, making them valuable assets for monitoring vast areas like the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. These drones are also equipped with precision-strike capabilities, including Hellfire missiles and smart bombs.
The Indian government is actively working to finalize the deal by the end of the year. Negotiations are reportedly in advanced stages, with 15 Sea Guardians designated for the Navy and 8 Sky Guardians each allocated to the Army and Air Force.
This move comes amid a tense geopolitical environment, with China continuing its military presence in eastern Ladakh for the fifth consecutive year and increasing its supply of armed drones to Pakistan.
The Indian negotiating team is striving to reduce the overall cost of the deal, while the US is offering to assemble the drones in India and source some components from Indian companies.
Additionally, General Atomics, the manufacturer of the MQ-9B drones, plans to establish a global Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in India and share expertise with Indian entities to develop advanced drones indigenously.
The Indian armed forces hope to induct the first batch of 10 MQ-9B drones within two years of the contract signing, although this timeline depends on General Atomics' production capacity. The remaining drones will be delivered in batches every six months.
