India, US Sign Rs 32,000 Crore Deal for 31 General Atomics Predator Drones, MRO Facility

Oct 15, 2024, 07:59 AM

India and the United States have signed a major defense deal for the procurement of 31 MQ-9B Predator drones, worth approximately Rs 32,000 crore (around $3.3 billion). The deal includes the acquisition of 15 Sea Guardian drones for the Indian Navy and 16 Sky Guardian drones, with eight each for the Indian Air Force and Army. The agreement also entails the establishment of a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in India to support these drones. The MQ-9B drones, manufactured by General Atomics, are high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicles designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations. This deal marks a significant boost to India's defense capabilities and strengthens the strategic partnership between India and the United States.