India set to acquire 30 predator drones from US in Rs21,000-crore deal

16 Nov 2021

1

India is now close to acquiring 30 Predator drones from the United  States, involving an expenditure of around Rs21,000 crore. A decision to this effect is expected to be taken at a high-level meeting being held by the defence ministry.

The development comes after the two countries agreed on revised statement of intent to strengthen dialogue on defence technology cooperation and signed the first project agreement for Air-Launched Unmanned Aerial Vehicle under Joint Working Group Air Systems.
The Defence Industry Collaboration Forum Virtual Expo conducted last week also decided to further encourage development of niche technologies.
The India Navy is already using two unarmed SeaGuardian drones that it leased last year from the US.
A proposal to acquire 30 Predator drones from the United States has been under consideration for  a couple of years.
If the acquisition is cleared in today’s meeting, it will be forwarded to the Defence Acquisition Council headed by the defence minister. It will then be sent to the Cabinet Committee on Security for its final nod before the contract is signed.
The drones will come armed with advanced systems and weapons packages and enable long-range surveillance and precision strikes. India’s drone shopping list includes the SeaGuardian/SkyGuardian variants of the MQ-9B. Reports said the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force will each get 10 drones each with customised specifications.
The Indian Navy is already using two unarmed SeaGuardian drones that it leased last year from the US for surveillance in the Indian Ocean Region. The Indian Navy is the lead service for the acquisition of these drones.
The option of leasing weapon systems has been provisioned under the Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020 and the Defence Procurement Manual 2009. This helps India cut back on expenditure, since the responsibility of maintenance also lies with the vendor.

Latest articles

RIL to invest Rs65,000 cr in 500 biogas plants in Andhra Pradesh

RIL to invest Rs65,000 cr in 500 biogas plants in Andhra Pradesh

DRDO lab develops silicone carbide wafers, gallium nitride transistors for MMICs

DRDO lab develops silicone carbide wafers, gallium nitride transistors for MMICs

Senior bankers in PSBs are in firing line: AIBEA

IIT Madras – ISRO to set up Centre of Excellence for research in Fluid and Thermal Sciences

IIT Madras – ISRO to set up Centre of Excellence for research in Fluid and Thermal Sciences

LPG as automobile fuel a solution for Delhi NCR air pollution: IAC

LPG as automobile fuel a solution for Delhi NCR air pollution: IAC

Entry of Starlink and Kuiper could churn India’s telecom sector

Entry of Starlink and Kuiper could churn India’s telecom sector

India building Rs820-cr railway test track in Rajasthan

India building Rs820-cr railway test track in Rajasthan

Rupee falls to 84.37 a dollar as foreign funds withdraw over $2.37 bn from Indian stocks in five days

Rupee falls to 84.37 a dollar as foreign funds withdraw over $2.37 bn from Indian stocks in five days

New central scheme to facilitate guarantee-free loans for higher education

New central scheme to facilitate guarantee-free loans for higher education

Business History Videos

History of hovercraft Part 3 | Industry study | Business History

History of hovercraft Part 3...

Today I shall talk a bit more about the military plans for ...

By Kiron Kasbekar | Presenter: Kiron Kasbekar

History of hovercraft Part 2 | Industry study | Business History

History of hovercraft Part 2...

In this episode of our history of hovercraft, we shall exam...

By Kiron Kasbekar | Presenter: Kiron Kasbekar

History of Hovercraft Part 1 | Industry study | Business History

History of Hovercraft Part 1...

If you’ve been a James Bond movie fan, you may recall seein...

By Kiron Kasbekar | Presenter: Kiron Kasbekar

History of Trams in India | Industry study | Business History

History of Trams in India | ...

The video I am presenting to you is based on a script writt...

By Aniket Gupta | Presenter: Sheetal Gaikwad

view more
View details about the software product Informachine News Trackers