India in “advanced stage” of Negotiation with US buys 30 armed MQ-9B Predator drones for over 3 billion US dollars to crank up Monitoring device along the border with China as well in Indian Ocean region people a favour with Developments said on Sunday.
The MQ-9B drone is the alternative of MQ-9 “Reaper” which was used to launch a modified version version of The Hellfire missile that killed al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in the heart of Kabul last Month.
Trusted sources in The defense establishment said that talks are underway between New Delhi and Washington for The government-to me-government collection of general atoms-built Drones, rejected reports that the deal off Table.
Dr. Vivek Lal, CEO for General Atomics Global Corporation, told PTI that the acquisition program is in an advanced stage of Discussions between the two governments.
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“We understand that the MQ-9B acquisition program is in an advanced stage of and discussions between the US and Indian governments.”
“any questions on those discussions should It is directed specifically to the respective governments. From the company’s perspective, General Atomics is ready for that support India values ​​our long relationship ‘Lal added.
Killer hunters planes are being bought for The three services as they can carry them out diversity of roles, including naval surveillance, anti-submarine warfare and overTargeting the horizon.
High Endurance UAVs (HALE) are able to do this of remaining airborne for over 35 hours It can carry four Hellfire missiles and about 450 kg of bombs.
The MQ-9B has two variants of SkyGuardian and its sibling, SeaGuardian.
The sources said the talks were focused on Sort out Some issues related to the cost of weapons package And the technology to share.
It is learned that the purchase proposal has emerged in Fourth Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defense dialogue Between India and the United States in Washington in April.
In 2020, the Indian Navy captured on Lease of two MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones from General Atomics for one year for control in Indian Ocean. It was the rental period extended Then.
The Indian Navy is strengthening its monitoring mechanism to monitor the increasing Chinese activities including the frequent invasions of the warships of the People’s Liberation Army. in Indian Ocean region.
When asked about the two drones, Lal said they performed “very well” and flew close to 3000 hours in support of The objectives of the naval and land patrols of the Indian Navy.
General Atomics India supported over The past Three years by providing two MQ-9 remotely piloted aircraft as part of Lease Contract Owned by a Company/Operating Company (COCO)”.
“Over the past six a month, nearly 3000 hours airlifted in support of The objectives of the naval and land patrols of the Indian Navy over 14 million square miles of operating area,” He said.
Our Indian customer liked the MQ-9 overHorizon ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) support for Indian surface units and warships, as well as exceptional endurance and operational availability of The platform, “Top Executive Officer added.
MQ-9Bs are designed Not only to meet the standards of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) but also to comply with Civil airspace requirements in The United States and around the world, according to General Atomics.
The Indian armed forces were focused on Procurement of unmanned platforms, including armed drones, in the background of Eastern Frontier Frontier Ladakh with China and for Movement tracking of Chinese warships in Indian Ocean region.
The offer to buy has been moved by the Indian Navy and all three services are likely to get 10 drones each.
The drone is first Drone killer hunter vehicle (drones) designed for Long-endurance, high-altitude watch.
MQ-9B has built-in signal intelligence and communications intelligence systems on board, but it can take any number of Other custom sensors as necessary.
In 2019, the United States agreed to sell of Armed drones to India and even offered compact air and missile defense systems.
The Indian Navy was pressing hard for Procurement to enhance overall control over Indian Ocean, a region Which has seen increasing raids by Chinese ships and submarines in The last a few years.
In February 2020, India signed a deal worth US$2.6 billion with United State for Buy of 24 helicopters MH-60 Romeo of the American company Lockheed Martin in the aviation field for Indian Navy. Delivery of Helicopters have already I started.
In the wake of the standoff in eastern Ladakh, India has greatly enhanced day and night surveillance over Line of Actual Control (LAC) using fleet of remotely piloted aircraft.
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Defense relations between India and the United States were on recovery in The last a few years.
In June 2016, the United States designated India as a “major defense partner” way for to share of critical military equipment And the technology.
the two countries You have also inked key Defense and Security Agreements over The past A few years, including logistics exchange memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) in 2016 that allows their armies use each other’s rules for Repair and renewal of supplies.
The two sides signed the Communications and Security Compatibility Agreement (COMCASA) in 2018 who provides for The possibility of interoperability between the two armies and provides for reduction of high end technology From the United States to India.
In October 2020, India and the United States concluded the BECA (Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement) to strengthen bilateral defense ties.
Provides charter for High-end sharing military technology, logistical and geospatial maps in between countries.
