Contradictory reports in the media notwithstanding, India’s plans to procure 31 MQ-9B Predator UAVs from General Atomics (GA) is well underway. Stratnews Global understands that clearance from the US Congress is expected soon, following which India’s Defence Ministry will receive a Letter of Acceptance (LoA) from its US counterpart. The LoA is the necessary prelude to price negotiations. Of the total 31 Predators India wants, the lion’s share of 15 will go to the navy, the balance being shared by the army and air force.
The Predators are expected to cost around $3 billion with reports indicating 11 would be bought off the shelf and the rest assembled domestically. The reports say government is looking at 15-20 per cent technology transfer including engines, radar processor units, avionics, sensors and software.
The MQ-9B is considered the best asset in the world when it comes to endurance (over 35 hours) and high altitude (40,000 feet+). It can carry four Hellfire missiles and 450 kg of other ordnance. The Indian Navy has been operating two of these UAVs on lease from GA for some time, flying them over the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Naval sources said the drones had boosted surveillance capabilities, enabling effective monitoring of land and maritime boundaries.
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