India US Predator drone deal: India has officially signed a significant deal with the United States for the purchase of 31 MQ-9B High Altitude Long Endurance UAVs (drones), manufactured by General Atomics. This major development comes just weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden engaged in discussions on the sidelines of the Quad Leaders Summit in Delaware.The Rs 32,000-crore deal not only includes the procurement of these advanced drones but also provides for the establishment of a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility within India. This move is expected to strengthen the Indian armed forces surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. Reports indicate that the total value of the agreement may increase to Rs 34,500 crore as the project progresses.A boost for Indias defence capabilitiesThe Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved the project last week, ensuring that 15 of the drones will be allocated to the Indian Navy, with the remaining units divided equally between the Indian Air Force and the Army. The deal had been under discussion for several years, with the final hurdles cleared during a Defence Acquisition Council meeting. The agreement needed to be finalized before October 31, 2024, as the validity of the US proposal was time-bound.India plans to base the drones at four key locations: INS Rajali near Chennai, Porbandar in Gujarat, Sarsawa in Uttar Pradesh, and Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh.Advanced features of the MQ-9B dronesThe MQ-9B Predator drones offer cutting-edge features that distinguish them from other UAVs. Their whisper-quiet operation makes them highly stealthy, allowing them to fly as low as 250 meters from the ground without being detected unless spotted visually. These drones can reach speeds of up to 442 km/h and soar at altitudes of around 50,000 feet, surpassing the cruising altitude of most commercial airplanes.One of the standout features of the MQ-9B is its ability to operate in any weather conditions and embark on long-range missions. The drones can fly up to 2,000 miles without refueling and can carry a payload of up to 1,700 kg, which includes four missiles and 450 kg of bombs. Additionally, the drones can be equipped with both air-to-ground and air-to-air missiles. General Atomics claims that the drones can remain airborne for up to 35 hours, hovering over targets or conducting extended missions without interruption.
