US greenlights potential USD 3.99 billion sale of MQ-9B drones to India

US-India deal for MQ-9B drones: The Government of India has expressed its intent to acquire thirty-one MQ-9B Sky Guardian aircraft, along with a suite of related equipment.

Edited By: Prateek Gautam

Last Updated : 01 February 2024, 10:20 PM IST

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US-India deal for MQ-9B drones: In a move aimed at fortifying the strategic relationship between the United States and India, the US State Department has given the green light for a potential Foreign Military Sale of MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) and associated equipment to the Government of India. The estimated cost of this proposed sale is $3.99 billion, signifying a significant step in enhancing India's defense capabilities.

The Proposed Arms Package

The Government of India has expressed its intent to acquire thirty-one MQ-9B Sky Guardian aircraft, along with a suite of related equipment. The comprehensive arms package includes:

One hundred sixty-one Embedded Global Positioning & Inertial Navigation Systems (EGIS)
Thirty-five L3 Rio Grande Communications Intelligence Sensor Suits
One hundred seventy AGM-114R Hellfire missiles
Sixteen M36E9 Hellfire Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM)
Three hundred ten GBU-39B/B Laser Small Diameter Bombs (LSDB)
Eight GBU-39B/B LSDB Guided Test Vehicles (GTVs) with live fuzes
Certifiable Ground Control Stations
TPE-331-10-GD engines
M299 Hellfire missile launchers
KIV-77 cryptographic appliques and other Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) equipment
KOR-24A Small Tactical Terminals (STT)
AN/SSQ-62F, AN/SSQ-53G, and AN/SSQ-36 sonobuoys
ADU-891/E Adapter Group Test Sets
Common Munitions Built-In-Test (BIT) Reprogramming Equipment (CMBRE)
GBU-39B/B tactical training rounds
Weapons Load Crew Trainers
Reliability Assessment Vehicles-Instrumented
Portable Pre-flight/Post-flight Equipment (P3E)
CCM-700A encryption devices
KY-100M Narrowband/wideband terminals
KI-133 cryptographic units
AN/PYQ-10 Simple Key Loaders
Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponders
ROVER 6Si and TNR2x transceivers
MR6000 ultra high frequency (UHF) and very high frequency (VHF) radios
Selex SeaSpray Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) surveillance radars
HISAR-300 Radars
SNC 4500 Auto Electronic Surveillance Measures (ESM) Systems
SAGE 750 ESM systems
Due Regard Radars (DRR)
MX-20 Electro-Optical Infrared (EO-IR) Laser Target Designators (LTDs)
Ku-Band SATCOM GAASI Transportable Earth Stations (GATES)
C-Band Line-of-Sight (LOS) Ground Data Terminals
AN/DPX-7 IFF transponders
Compact Multi-band Data Links (CMDL)
Initial spare and repair parts, consumables, accessories, and repair and return support
Secure communications, precision navigation, and cryptographic equipment
Munitions support and support equipment
Testing and integration support and equipment
Classified and unclassified software delivery and support
Classified and unclassified publications and technical documentation
Personnel training and training equipment
Transportation support
Warranties
Studies and surveys
U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services
Other related elements of logistics and program support

Strategic Significance

The potential sale aligns with the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States, aiming to bolster the U.S.-Indian strategic relationship. The move is seen as a crucial step to enhance the security of India, a major defense partner contributing significantly to political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia region.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency has officially informed Congress about this prospective deal. The U.S. government's approval reflects a commitment to supporting India's defense capabilities and fostering stronger ties between the two nations.

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US greenlights potential USD 3.99 billion sale of MQ-9B drones to India