<p><strong>Predator drones for India:</strong>&nbsp;The Indian government on Wednesday (Oct 9)&nbsp;approved the buying of predator drones from the US in a deal worth over $3 billion, according to news wire agency ANI.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The country's Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved the acquisition of 31 predator drones, of the MQ-9B series, from the American defence company General Atomics.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch: Indian Army Unveils Him-Drone-A-Thon 2: Revolutionising Military Ops In High-Altitude Areas</strong></p>

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<p>The purchase, according to the report, will be done via a government-to-government deal valued at $3.1 billion.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The acquisition is mainly driven by the Indian Navy and was given the green light after consultations with various government departments, including the Ministry of Finance.</p>

<p>The Indian Navy will get 16 of the drones, with the rest going to the Indian Army and Indian Air Force, according to the report, which said the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is tight-lipped about the deal.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-armys-him-drone-a-thon-2-to-test-made-in-india-drones-at-high-altitudes-759840"><strong>Also read: Indian Army’s ‘HIM-DRONE-A-THON 2’ to test made-in-India drones at high-altitudes</strong></a><br />
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Some of these drones will be assembled locally with 30 per cent of the components sourced from Indian defence industry firms, it said.</p>

<h2><strong>What does the Predator drone deal mean for India?</strong></h2>

<p>The predator drones, which can be armed with&nbsp;Hellfire missiles, GBU-39B precision-guided bombs and high-fire rotary cannons, have high endurance in difficult terrain.</p>

<p>They can operate at high altitudes and carry advanced weaponry, with better surveillance capabilities than the P-8I aircraft made by Boeing.</p>

<p>Their acquisition will enhance the maritime surveillance capabilities of the Indian Navy, particularly in strategically significant waters stretching&nbsp;from the Gulf of Aden to the Sunda Straits, according to the HT report.</p>

<p>The Navy plans to use the Predator drones to monitor and counter threats arising from illicit maritime activities, and Chinese surveillance vessels in the Indian Ocean, as per&nbsp;the report.</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-us-origin-mq-9b-drone-costing-150mn-crashes-off-chennai-759911">Also read:India: US-origin MQ-9B drone costing $150mn crashes off Chennai</a></strong></p>

<p>The drones can potentially be used by the Indian Air Force and Army to strike critical infrastructure and high-value targets too.</p>

<p>The proposed acquisition takes place amid a perceived need to improve India's aerial responses even as China is advancing its drone technologies and supporting India's regional rival Pakistan, the report pointed out.</p>

<h2><strong>What are Predator drones?</strong></h2>

<p>Developed by US defence firm General Atomics, Predators are a series of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) used by the American military for surveillance and targeted strikes, hence the name 'hunter-killer'.</p>

<p>The drones, launched in the 1990s, and a crucial war machine for the US military.</p>

<p>Their advanced sensors and cameras can give real-time video and intelligence data. Predator drone operators can monitor enemy movements and gather critical information without risking human lives.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Predators can fly at altitudes of up to 25,000 feet for long periods and more importantly, carry precision-guided munitions like Hellfire missiles.</p>

<p>Their high accuracy has allowed for strikes against high-value targets without boots on the ground and minimal collateral damage, but there have been times when civilians have died in Predator strikes.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Predator drones for India: The Indian government on Wednesday (Oct 9) approved the buying of predator drones from the US in a deal worth over $3 billion, according to news wire agency ANI.

Predator drones for India: The Indian government on Wednesday (Oct 9) approved the buying of predator drones from the US in a deal worth over $3 billion, according to news wire agency ANI. The country's Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved the acquisition of 31 predator drones, of the MQ-9B series, from the American defence company General Atomics. Watch: Indian Army Unveils Him-Drone-A-Thon 2: Revolutionising Military Ops In High-Altitude Areas × The purchase, according to the report, will be done via a government-to-government deal valued at $3.1 billion. The acquisition is mainly driven by the Indian Navy and was given the green light after consultations with various government departments, including the Ministry of Finance. The Indian Navy will get 16 of the drones, with the rest going to the Indian Army and Indian Air Force, according to the report, which said the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is tight-lipped about the deal. Also read: Indian Army’s ‘HIM-DRONE-A-THON 2’ to test made-in-India drones at high-altitudes Some of these drones will be assembled locally with 30 per cent of the components sourced from Indian defence industry firms, it said. What does the Predator drone deal mean for India? The predator drones, which can be armed with Hellfire missiles, GBU-39B precision-guided bombs and high-fire rotary cannons, have high endurance in difficult terrain. They can operate at high altitudes and carry advanced weaponry, with better surveillance capabilities than the P-8I aircraft made by Boeing. Their acquisition will enhance the maritime surveillance capabilities of the Indian Navy, particularly in strategically significant waters stretching from the Gulf of Aden to the Sunda Straits, according to the HT report. The Navy plans to use the Predator drones to monitor and counter threats arising from illicit maritime activities, and Chinese surveillance vessels in the Indian Ocean, as per the report. Also read:India: US-origin MQ-9B drone costing $150mn crashes off Chennai The drones can potentially be used by the Indian Air Force and Army to strike critical infrastructure and high-value targets too. The proposed acquisition takes place amid a perceived need to improve India's aerial responses even as China is advancing its drone technologies and supporting India's regional rival Pakistan, the report pointed out. What are Predator drones? Developed by US defence firm General Atomics, Predators are a series of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) used by the American military for surveillance and targeted strikes, hence the name 'hunter-killer'. The drones, launched in the 1990s, and a crucial war machine for the US military. Their advanced sensors and cameras can give real-time video and intelligence data. Predator drone operators can monitor enemy movements and gather critical information without risking human lives. Predators can fly at altitudes of up to 25,000 feet for long periods and more importantly, carry precision-guided munitions like Hellfire missiles. Their high accuracy has allowed for strikes against high-value targets without boots on the ground and minimal collateral damage, but there have been times when civilians have died in Predator strikes. (With inputs from agencies)

Indian govt approves acquisition of 31 Predator drones from US. What are they?

<p>India has moved closer to buying 31 US-made MQ-9B SkyGuardian&nbsp;drones that will provide the South Asian nation with enhanced maritime security and maritime domain awareness capability, in a deal worth nearly four billion US dollars.</p>

<p>The deal requires US Congress approval, after the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) delivered the required certification notifying the legislature&nbsp;of possible sale of the drones.</p>

<p>The US State Department said earlier that it has made a determination approving the possible foreign military sale to the government of India of the MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $3.99 billion.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | US DSCA approves sale of 31 MQ-9B drones to India</strong></p>

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<p>"This was the initial step today, notifying Congress. The exact timeline of the delivery is something that we will explore with the government of India over the coming months", state department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/endgame-joe-biden-donald-trump-leads-over-serving-us-president-in-7-battleground-states-key-poll-finds-685746">Endgame Joe Biden? Donald Trump leads serving US president in 7 battleground states, key poll finds</a></strong></p>

<h2>Why is India-US maritime drone deal significant?</h2>

<p>India has been proactive in protection of sea lanes in Indian Ocean Region. The security situation in this maritime environment has again hit headlines in the wake of attacks on Red Sea shipping by Yemen-based Houthi rebels.</p>

<p>Recently, an Indian warship rushed to help a cargo ship which was hit by a Houthi missile.</p>

<p>Even before the Houthi issue erupted, Indian Navy has been protecting cargo ships from Somali pirates and other threats in the international waters.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-interim-budget-key-takeaways-from-nirmala-sitharamans-budget-speech-685817">India interim Budget 2024: Key takeaways from Nirmala Sitharaman's speech</a></strong><br />
&nbsp;</p>

<h2>India drone deal won't&nbsp; affect military balance in region: US<br />
&nbsp;</h2>

<p>"This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to strengthen the US-Indian strategic relationship and to improve the security of a major defence partner which continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia region," said DSCA in a notification.</p>

<p>The agency further said that the sale is going to India's capability to tackle threats by carrying out "unmanned surveillance and reconnaissance patrols" in sea lanes.</p>

<p>To address possible concerns surrounding whether US would be arming India, the agency has clearly shared that provision of the remotely piloted aircraft will "not alter the basic military balance in the region."</p>

<p>General Atomics Aeronautical Systems will be the principal contractor for the deal.</p>

<p>"Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional US Government or contractor representatives to India. There will be no adverse impact on US defence readiness as a result of this proposed sale," DSCA said.</p>

<p>Addition of MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft in the Indian arsenal is bound to improve its capacity as a net-security provider.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


India has moved closer to buying 31 US-made MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones that will provide the South Asian nation with enhanced maritime security and maritime domain awareness capability, in a deal worth nearly four billion US dollars.

India has moved closer to buying 31 US-made MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones that will provide the South Asian nation with enhanced maritime security and maritime domain awareness capability, in a deal worth nearly four billion US dollars. The deal requires US Congress approval, after the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) delivered the required certification notifying the legislature of possible sale of the drones. The US State Department said earlier that it has made a determination approving the possible foreign military sale to the government of India of the MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $3.99 billion. Watch | US DSCA approves sale of 31 MQ-9B drones to India × "This was the initial step today, notifying Congress. The exact timeline of the delivery is something that we will explore with the government of India over the coming months", state department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters. Also Read | Endgame Joe Biden? Donald Trump leads serving US president in 7 battleground states, key poll finds Why is India-US maritime drone deal significant? India has been proactive in protection of sea lanes in Indian Ocean Region. The security situation in this maritime environment has again hit headlines in the wake of attacks on Red Sea shipping by Yemen-based Houthi rebels. Recently, an Indian warship rushed to help a cargo ship which was hit by a Houthi missile. Even before the Houthi issue erupted, Indian Navy has been protecting cargo ships from Somali pirates and other threats in the international waters. Also Read | India interim Budget 2024: Key takeaways from Nirmala Sitharaman's speech India drone deal won't affect military balance in region: US "This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to strengthen the US-Indian strategic relationship and to improve the security of a major defence partner which continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia region," said DSCA in a notification. The agency further said that the sale is going to India's capability to tackle threats by carrying out "unmanned surveillance and reconnaissance patrols" in sea lanes. To address possible concerns surrounding whether US would be arming India, the agency has clearly shared that provision of the remotely piloted aircraft will "not alter the basic military balance in the region." General Atomics Aeronautical Systems will be the principal contractor for the deal. "Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional US Government or contractor representatives to India. There will be no adverse impact on US defence readiness as a result of this proposed sale," DSCA said. Addition of MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft in the Indian arsenal is bound to improve its capacity as a net-security provider. (With inputs from agencies)

MQ-9B SkyGuardian: India moves closer to securing US approval for drones

Indian defence forces are planning to integrate made-in-India missiles on Predator drones, which are being acquired from the US under a foreign military sales deal. The deal for 31 Predator drones is being negotiated between India and the US and includes proposals for making an unmanned aerial systems hub in the country as part of the program.

Indian defence forces planning to equip MQ-9B drones with made-in-India weapons