In an effort to bolster its long-range unmanned surveillance capabilities, India is aiming to finalize a substantial Rs 32,000 crore deal to acquire 31 MQ-9B drones from the United States by October 31.
The urgency stems from the impending expiration of the American proposal, which, if not signed by the deadline, would necessitate fresh proposals and paperwork, potentially causing significant delays.
The Indian Navy is spearheading efforts to expedite the agreement, aiming to secure all necessary approvals within the given timeframe. The initial intent to procure these 31 High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) UAVs was announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to the US in June 2023.
While plans are in place to eventually equip the Predator drones with indigenous weapons during their assembly in India, these have been temporarily put on hold to avoid any potential holdups in the acquisition process.
This decision comes amidst the American manufacturer's reluctance to transfer technology to Indian firms, offering instead consultancy services for future indigenous HALE drone production.
The strategic deployment of these advanced drones will involve three hubs located in the northern, northeastern, and southern parts of the country, with the maritime surveillance hub based at INS Rajali near Chennai.
The tri-service Integrated Defence Staff has conducted a thorough assessment to determine the precise number of drones required to meet surveillance needs along the sensitive borders with China and Pakistan.
