India to finalise Predator drone deal with US by October 31

PTC News Desk: Following the Defence Acquisition Council’s (DAC) approval on July 30, the Defence Ministry is preparing to present the Predator drone deal to the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) for final approval. This high-profile acquisition, valued at approximately USD 3.1 billion, is expected to be finalized before the deadline of October 31 to avoid any potential price revisions by the manufacturer, General Atomics.

The Cost Negotiation Committee (CNC) has concluded discussions on the final price for the deal. The next steps involve securing expenditure approval from the Finance Ministry before obtaining the CCS’s formal endorsement.

The deal entails the procurement of 31 MQ-9B Predator drones equipped with air-to-surface missiles and laser-guided bombs, purchased on a government-to-government basis. The distribution plan includes 16 drones for the Indian Navy, focused on maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region; eight for the Indian Army; and eight for the Indian Air Force, intended for precision strike missions along the land borders.

In August, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his team were briefed by General Atomics on the drone's capabilities during a visit to the US. The Predator drone has a well-established track record for precision bombing and high-value target elimination, demonstrated in conflicts in the Middle East and Afghanistan.

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Currently, India operates two unarmed Sea Guardian drones, the precursor to the armed Predators, from INS Rajali in Tamil Nadu. These drones, on lease from General Atomics, provide crucial maritime domain awareness from the Sunda Straits to the Suez Canal and across the South Indian Ocean. Although the lease expired in January 2024, the Indian Navy has opted to extend it for an additional four years.

The global trend of using armed drones, as evidenced by recent conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, underscores the need for India to enhance its capabilities. Non-state actors, such as the Houthis and Hezbollah, have increasingly utilised drones for targeting international shipping and conducting attacks on Israel.

The urgency of this acquisition is amplified by the activities of China and Pakistan, which are operating weaponized unmanned aerial vehicles. China has supplied CH-4 drones to Pakistan, highlighting the strategic importance for India to bolster its own drone capabilities.

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