2023-06-15 16:27:50
New Delhi: Defense Ministry approves purchase of US-made armed drones. India is about to acquire 31 MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones manufactured by General Atomics. Drones cost three billion dollars (roughly Rs. 25,000 crores). Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit the US next week, and the initial step for permission to buy drones has come from the Ministry of Defence.Archyde.comReporting.
Sources close to the ministry indicated that an agreement in this regard will be signed between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden next week. The move from the US side is to further strengthen ties with India to counter China. The US has also expressed willingness to collaborate with India on defense technology.
After receiving the initial approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the approval of the Union Cabinet also needs to be obtained in this regard. Two years ago, the US had given permission to supply 30 drones to India. But the defense ministry’s decision was delayed. With the date set for Modi’s four-day visit to the US, the US again expressed interest in the deal.
The drones purchased from the US will be mainly used by the Indian Navy. India has leased and used two unarmed MQ-9B drones since November 2020 for maritime surveillance.
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval had returned.
A week ago, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had arrived in Delhi and made an announcement regarding co-operation in the defense industry. It is estimated that the US also has the goal of turning India away from Russia, which has been dependent on Russia for its military needs for decades.
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