In a major boost in the relationship between India and the United States, Big-ticket defense deals are on the cards. The US President Joe Biden admin expected to offer India MQ-9B SeaGuardian as its first approval to the country by DSCA under FMS. Means a lot for India, with the positive signal coming out of the newly formed US Administration. India for long eying General Atomic Armed Drones to improve its standoff capabilities.
The Predator is a formidable machine, capable of long-distance precision attacks with its Lockheed Martin Hellfire missiles and other weapons, and can be in the air, high up at 60,000 feet for more than 30 hours. The MQ-9B has some India specific systems.
Indications are that the next DAC meeting should happen in January. After that, the two Navies would finalize the requirements, specifications, and costs, and then the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), General Atomics, would be mandated by the US Department of Defence (DoD) to do the needful.
Discussions are already on. As sophisticated hi-tech attack radars and weapons can be cleared only by the US President, and then the DoD, the deal would be Government-to-Government under Washington’s Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. As per the report published on India Strategic.
MQ 9B American UAVs will play a huge role in India’s defense against China. Chinese PLA-Navy is fast expanding into India’s backyards. Especially in the Indian Ocean Region with the so-called ‘String of Pearls’ strategy. Indian Military Strategist plans to have a larger fleet of American Drones to keep constant vigile on vast Indian Ocean Region. India plans to buy at least 30 to 50 Armed Drones. Until India’s indigenous UAV projects gets horned to perfection.
Overall, the signal from the new Joe Biden admin towards India is very positive. Much need for a morale boost for both countries.
