The 31 drones will be divided among the Indian Navy (15 drones), the Indian Air Force, and the Indian Army. The deal also includes setting up a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility in India.
This agreement marks a significant step in Indo-US defense collaboration and reflects growing strategic ties between the two countries.
This acquisition is expected to bolster India's military strength and enhance its defense infrastructure.
The MQ-9B Predator drones are high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) drones designed for both surveillance and combat roles. These drones can fly for up to 40 hours non-stop, covering vast areas of land and sea, and can operate at altitudes of up to 40,000 feet, providing a broad surveillance range.
Equipped with state-of-the-art sensors and cameras, these MQ-9B Predator drones can capture high-resolution imagery and conduct real-time monitoring.
Moreover, the drones can be used for a variety of missions, including reconnaissance, border surveillance, maritime patrol, and targeting in combat situations.
The Indian Navy will receive the Sea Guardian variant, which is specifically designed for maritime operations. The Indian Air Force and Army will receive the Sky Guardian variant, which is optimized for land-based operations.
The drone maker General Atomics is known for manufacturing the MQ-9B Predator drones. The defence company develops advanced systems like electromagnetic aircraft launch systems (EMALS) for the US Navy and high-power laser technologies.
General Atomics is also involved in nuclear fusion research and other energy-related projects. The company operates on five continents and includes subsidiaries like General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
This India-US partnership is part of a broader trend of increasing defense cooperation between India and the US, including joint military exercises, defense technology transfers, and industrial collaboration.
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