Predator drone deal to be signed between India and America today, know how you will get big benefits

New Delhi : An important defense deal is going to be signed between India and America on Tuesday. This deal is to purchase MQ9B drone for the armed forces. This defense deal is worth Rs 34,500 crore. The deal, signed under a government-to-government agreement, will provide the Indian Armed Forces with 31 long-range drones. With this, it will be included in Army, Air Force and Navy.

Agreed on two different deals

Sources said that two separate contracts will be signed today. Of these, one is for maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities of drones and the other is for acquisition. The deal was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security earlier this month. Of the 31 drones, 15 will be allotted to the Indian Navy, while the Air Force and Army will get eight drones each. Long-range drones will be armed. The drones will be deployed at INS Rajali near Chennai, Porbandar in Gujarat, Sarsawa and Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh. The Indian Army has selected the number of drones on the basis of extensive study.

Joined hands with Bharat Forge

MQ9B manufacturer General Atomics has joined hands with Bharat Forge to make UAV components. The company has also committed to setting up a global maintenance center for drones in India. Additionally, the US manufacturer will also provide consultancy support to an Indian program to develop combat drones. India was considering the option of technology transfer as part of the deal to boost its domestic unmanned combat aerial vehicle programme, but details could not be worked out.

Discussion was going on for many years

A team of US military and corporate representatives is currently in India to finalize these contracts. Key Indian defense officials, including the Joint Secretary and the Acquisition Manager of Naval Systems, will attend the signing ceremony. This deal was under discussion for many years. The final approval was given in the recent Defense Acquisition Council meeting. The deal needed to be approved by October 31 as the deadline for the US proposal had expired.