New Delhi: The Narendra Modi government’s decision to approve a tri-service proposal to acquire 31 MQ 9-Predator B armed drones from the US has come on the eve of the Prime Minister’s state visit to the US on June 21.
The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) headed by PM is reported by several news outlets to have given a nod to General Electric manufacturing F-414 jet engines in India through 100 per cent manufacturing route in collaboration with HAL on June 14.
The Times of India writes that the defence ministry approved the major acquisition of 31 weaponised drones from the US on Thursday, clearing the decks for the formal announcement of the mega project during the PM’s visit to Washington.
Reuters reported that India will buy 31 drones made by General Atomics worth slightly over $3 billion, citing a source. India’s defence ministry did not respond to Reuters’ request for comment.
This is said to be the first major purchase after Indian Navy acquired 24 MH 60 R anti-submarine warfare helicopters from the US three years ago, reports The Hindustan Times. The newspaper notes that the last major acquisition was done on the eve of the former US President Donald Trump’s visit to India.
Reuters says that the US government had approved the sale of 30 drones to India over two years ago, but the Indian defence ministry “had been sitting on the decision.”
However, it makes a note of the timing of the approval when it writes, “Once dates for Modi’s four-day US visit starting June 21 were finalised, the Biden administration started nudging India to show progress on the deal.”
It is thought that the drones will predominantly be used by the Navy in the Indian Ocean Region. Both of India’s traditional adversaries, China and Pakistan, have sophisticated air defence systems that “can limit the use of the drones along India’s land borders.”
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute’s (SIPRI’s) report in March revealed that India imports the maximum amount of arms globally. The findings dented the Indian government’s publicity around Atmanirbharta or self-reliance. The report said that India accounted for 11% of total global imports in the 2018-22 period. Its exports in the corresponding period declined.
The Predator drones only add to this list of more weaponry from abroad that India relies on for its defence needs.
There is no clarity so far of provisions for transfer of technology or of manufacturing in India.