Image Credits : India Today
The U.S. Congress has given the green light for the sale of Predator drones to India, marking a milestone in the growing defence partnership between the two nations. The clearance comes following a ‘tiered review’ of the proposed sale of 31 MQ9B drones, with official Congressional notification expected to be submitted within 24 hours, according to the US State Department.
The manufacturer of Predator drones, General Atomics, has been notified of the congressional approval, and the company has relayed the information to the highest levels of the Indian government, including the national security establishment. While details of the deal have been kept under wraps by the Narendra Modi government, sources in Washington have confirmed that the official notification for the sale will be issued imminently.
Under the terms of the deal, the Indian Navy is slated to receive 15 out of the 31 drones, while the Indian Army and Indian Air Force will each acquire eight high-altitude long-endurance drones from the United States. The sale of these advanced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) underscores the deepening defence ties between India and the US, with a focus on enhancing strategic technology cooperation and military capabilities in the region.
U.S. State Department spokesperson Mathew Miller emphasized the significance of the US-India defence partnership, noting its substantial growth over the past decade. Miller highlighted the potential of the drone deal to further advance cooperation in strategic technology and military affairs. He underscored the importance of consulting with members of Congress on foreign affairs committees as part of the arms transfer process to address any questions or concerns they may have.
The approval of the Predator drone sale comes amid progress on another crucial defence deal between India and the US involving the GE-414 engine. The CEO of General Electric, the manufacturer of the engines, has reportedly informed top levels of the Modi government about the status of the deal. Both the drone sale and aircraft engine deal are being managed by the national security advisors of India and the US, underscoring the strategic significance of these agreements.
India’s use of Predator drones is not new, as the Indian Navy already operates two unarmed drones from the Rajali air base in Tamil Nadu, leased from the US. These drones have significantly enhanced India’s maritime domain awareness, particularly in countering threats such as Houthi missiles and Somali pirates in the Red Sea.
The approval of the sale of Predator drones to India represents a significant milestone in defence cooperation between the two nations, signalling a deepening partnership in addressing shared security challenges and bolstering regional stability. As both countries continue to strengthen their defence ties, the focus remains on leveraging advanced technology and capabilities to address evolving security threats effectively.