Predator drones for India:&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;

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;

Watch: Indian Army Unveils Him-Drone-A-Thon 2: Revolutionising Military Ops In High-Altitude Areas

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The purchase, according to the report, will be done via a government-to-government deal valued at $3.1 billion.&nbsp;

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.

<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">Also read: Indian Army’s ‘HIM-DRONE-A-THON 2’ to test made-in-India drones at high-altitudes</a> 
 
Some of these drones will be assembled locally with 30 per cent of the components sourced from Indian defence industry firms, it said.

<h2>What does the Predator drone deal mean for India?</h2>

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.

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&nbsp;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&nbsp;the report.

<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>

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.

<h2>What are Predator drones?</h2>

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.&nbsp;

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)

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?

India&nbsp;is&nbsp;set&nbsp;to&nbsp;finalise a long-conceived proposal&nbsp;to&nbsp;procure 30 multi-mission armed&nbsp;Predator&nbsp;drones from the&nbsp;US&nbsp;for the three services at an estimated cost of over $3&nbsp;billion&nbsp;(around Rs 22,000 crore), official sources said on Tuesday.

The proposal&nbsp;to&nbsp;acquire the MQ-9B long-endurance&nbsp;drones, armed&nbsp;with&nbsp;air-to-ground missiles, is likely&nbsp;to&nbsp;be cleared&nbsp;by&nbsp;the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) in the next few weeks following which it will be placed before the PM-led Cabinet Committee on Security, they said.

The sources said various key aspects of the procurement including the cost component and weapons package have already been finalised and the mega-deal&nbsp;is&nbsp;set&nbsp;to&nbsp;be&nbsp;sealed&nbsp;with&nbsp;the&nbsp;US&nbsp;by&nbsp;the&nbsp;current&nbsp;fiscal.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/before-inaugurating-a-highway-indias-pm-modi-lands-on-it-in-air-forces-c-130j-super-hercules-plane-429722" hreflang="en">Indian PM Modi lands on highway in an Indian Air Force plane</a>

Vice Chief of&nbsp;India&nbsp;Navy Vice Admiral said the proposal will be placed before the DAC in a "short while".

"The whole effort of the procurement process is that we take a very balanced decision and therefore inputs of all stakeholders are taken. The process is on and we have progressed quite a bit on this process. This will move&nbsp;to&nbsp;DAC in a short while," he&nbsp;told reporters at an event.

The procurement proposal has been moved&nbsp;by&nbsp;the&nbsp;Indian Navy and all three services are likely&nbsp;to&nbsp;get 10&nbsp;drones each.

The remotely piloted&nbsp;drones, manufactured&nbsp;by&nbsp;US&nbsp;defence major General Atomics, are capable of remaining airborne for around 35 hours and can be deployed on a range of missions including surveillance, reconnaissance, intelligence gathering and destroying enemy targets.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/why-the-russian-s-400-missile-defence-deal-matters-to-india-424515" hreflang="en">Why the Russian S-400 missile defence deal matters to India</a>

The medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE)&nbsp;Predator-B&nbsp;drone&nbsp;is the first hunter-killer UAV designed for long-endurance and high-altitude surveillance.

Indian armed forces have been focusing on procuring unmanned platforms including armed&nbsp;drones following the eastern Ladakh standoff&nbsp;with&nbsp;China and a&nbsp;drone&nbsp;strike on the Jammu airbase.

Explosives-laden&nbsp;drones were&nbsp;used&nbsp;to&nbsp;carry out the attack on the Jammu Air Force station in June in the first such instance of suspected Pakistan-based terrorists deploying unmanned aerial vehicles&nbsp;to&nbsp;strike at vital military installations in&nbsp;India.

In 2019, the&nbsp;US&nbsp;approved the sale of armed&nbsp;drones&nbsp;to&nbsp;India&nbsp;and even offered integrated air and missile defence systems.

The&nbsp;Indian Navy has been strongly pushing for the procurement&nbsp;to&nbsp;boost its overall surveillance over the&nbsp;Indian Ocean, a region that has witnessed increasing forays&nbsp;by&nbsp;Chinese ships and submarines in the last few years.

Last year, the&nbsp;Indian Navy received two&nbsp;Predator&nbsp;drones on lease from the&nbsp;US, primarily for surveillance over the&nbsp;Indian Ocean.

The two non-weaponised MQ-9B&nbsp;drones were leased for one year&nbsp;with&nbsp;the option of extending the period&nbsp;by&nbsp;another year.

In February last year,&nbsp;India&nbsp;sealed a $2.6&nbsp;billion&nbsp;deal&nbsp;with&nbsp;the&nbsp;US&nbsp;for procurement of 24 MH-60 Romeo helicopters from American aerospace major Lockheed Martin for the&nbsp;Indian Navy. The delivery of the helicopters has already begun.

India is set to finalise a long-conceived proposal to procure 30 multi-mission armed Predator drones from the US for the three services at an estimated cost of over $3 billion (around Rs 22,000 crore), official sources said on Tuesday.

India is set to finalise a long-conceived proposal to procure 30 multi-mission armed Predator drones from the US for the three services at an estimated cost of over $3 billion (around Rs 22,000 crore), official sources said on Tuesday. The proposal to acquire the MQ-9B long-endurance drones, armed with air-to-ground missiles, is likely to be cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) in the next few weeks following which it will be placed before the PM-led Cabinet Committee on Security, they said. The sources said various key aspects of the procurement including the cost component and weapons package have already been finalised and the mega-deal is set to be sealed with the US by the current fiscal. Also read | Indian PM Modi lands on highway in an Indian Air Force plane Vice Chief of India Navy Vice Admiral said the proposal will be placed before the DAC in a "short while". "The whole effort of the procurement process is that we take a very balanced decision and therefore inputs of all stakeholders are taken. The process is on and we have progressed quite a bit on this process. This will move to DAC in a short while," he told reporters at an event. The procurement proposal has been moved by the Indian Navy and all three services are likely to get 10 drones each. The remotely piloted drones, manufactured by US defence major General Atomics, are capable of remaining airborne for around 35 hours and can be deployed on a range of missions including surveillance, reconnaissance, intelligence gathering and destroying enemy targets. Also read | Why the Russian S-400 missile defence deal matters to India The medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) Predator-B drone is the first hunter-killer UAV designed for long-endurance and high-altitude surveillance. Indian armed forces have been focusing on procuring unmanned platforms including armed drones following the eastern Ladakh standoff with China and a drone strike on the Jammu airbase. Explosives-laden drones were used to carry out the attack on the Jammu Air Force station in June in the first such instance of suspected Pakistan-based terrorists deploying unmanned aerial vehicles to strike at vital military installations in India. In 2019, the US approved the sale of armed drones to India and even offered integrated air and missile defence systems. The Indian Navy has been strongly pushing for the procurement to boost its overall surveillance over the Indian Ocean, a region that has witnessed increasing forays by Chinese ships and submarines in the last few years. Last year, the Indian Navy received two Predator drones on lease from the US, primarily for surveillance over the Indian Ocean. The two non-weaponised MQ-9B drones were leased for one year with the option of extending the period by another year. In February last year, India sealed a $2.6 billion deal with the US for procurement of 24 MH-60 Romeo helicopters from American aerospace major Lockheed Martin for the Indian Navy. The delivery of the helicopters has already begun.

India set to seal $3 billion Predator drone deal with US by current fiscal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met Indian-American Chief Executive of General Atomics Vivek Lall and held talks on strengthening India's defence technology sector, including its strides in drone technology and the path-breaking reforms and the Production-Linked Incentive scheme.

Last year, Lall, a prominent Indian-American aerospace and defence expert who played a key role in some of the major defence deals between India and the US, was appointed as the Chief Executive of General Atomics Global Corporation at its headquarters in San Diego, California. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-narendra-modi-talking-technology-with-leading-american-ceos-from-key-sectors-415274">Also read | PM Narendra Modi 'talking technology' with leading American CEOs from key sectors</a> 
 
Lall appreciated the recent policy changes to accelerate defence and emerging technology manufacturing and augment capacity building in India in his talks with the prime minister, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ceos-shower-praise-for-india-as-prime-minister-narendra-modi-meets-them-in-us-415290">Also read | CEOs shower praise for India as Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets them in US</a> 
 
"They spoke about strengthening the defence technology sector in India," it said. 
 
"Discussing a subject of the future, which has captured the imagination of the present. Mr Vivek Lall of @GeneralAtomics Global Corporation interacted with PM @narendramodi. They discussed India's strides in drone technology, including the path-breaking reforms and the PLI (Production-Linked Incentive) scheme, the Office of Prime Minister Modi said on Twitter.

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Drones is an upcoming sector in India and it is of particular interest to the youth. Interacted with Mr. Vivek Lall of <a href="https://twitter.com/GeneralAtomics?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GeneralAtomics</a> Global Corporation and spoke about how India is ushering a paradigm shift in drones policy, seen in our PLI scheme and reform measures. <a href="https://t.co/8cEE2YcJ2s">pic.twitter.com/8cEE2YcJ2s</a>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1441075809322774529?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 23, 2021</a></blockquote>
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General Atomics (GA) is one of the world's leading privately held nuclear and defence companies.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met Indian-American Chief Executive of General Atomics Vivek Lall and held talks on strengthening India's defence technology sector, including its strides in drone technology and the path-breaking reforms and the Production-Linked Incentive scheme.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met Indian-American Chief Executive of General Atomics Vivek Lall and held talks on strengthening India's defence technology sector, including its strides in drone technology and the path-breaking reforms and the Production-Linked Incentive scheme. Last year, Lall, a prominent Indian-American aerospace and defence expert who played a key role in some of the major defence deals between India and the US, was appointed as the Chief Executive of General Atomics Global Corporation at its headquarters in San Diego, California. Also read | PM Narendra Modi 'talking technology' with leading American CEOs from key sectors Lall appreciated the recent policy changes to accelerate defence and emerging technology manufacturing and augment capacity building in India in his talks with the prime minister, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. Also read | CEOs shower praise for India as Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets them in US "They spoke about strengthening the defence technology sector in India," it said. "Discussing a subject of the future, which has captured the imagination of the present. Mr Vivek Lall of @GeneralAtomics Global Corporation interacted with PM @narendramodi. They discussed India's strides in drone technology, including the path-breaking reforms and the PLI (Production-Linked Incentive) scheme, the Office of Prime Minister Modi said on Twitter. Drones is an upcoming sector in India and it is of particular interest to the youth. Interacted with Mr. Vivek Lall of @GeneralAtomics Global Corporation and spoke about how India is ushering a paradigm shift in drones policy, seen in our PLI scheme and reform measures. pic.twitter.com/8cEE2YcJ2s — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 23, 2021 × General Atomics (GA) is one of the world's leading privately held nuclear and defence companies.

Modi meets General Atomics CEO: Indian PM targets Predator drone deal and other defence technology

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi left for Portugal on Saturday morning and will reach the United States the next day (June25).

He will meet US President Donald Trump on June 26.&nbsp;

The two leaders will meet on Monday at around 3:30 pm EST (1 am IST) for the first time. The meeting will last for about 5 hours. The two leaders will end their meeting with a White House dinner, the first by the Trump administration for a visiting foreign leader.

Modi will then visit the Netherlands on June 27.

Speaking before his departure, Modi said that the aim of the US visit is to &quot;build a forward looking vision&quot; for the Indo-US bilateral partnership and consolidate the strong relationship between the two countries.

&quot;My USA visit is aimed at deepening ties between our nations. Strong India-USA ties benefit our nations &amp; the world,&quot; he tweeted.

India and the United States came closer during the regime of President Barack Obama owing to a warm relationship shared between the two leaders.

The visit will aim to capitalise on that relationship to further strengthen the ties.

Already on the agenda is the big-ticket defence deal which will see US supplying 22 Predator drones to India. Sources close to the deal have signalled that the entire US administration is positive about the deal.

India is one of United States&#39; biggest defence markets.

On the issue of H-1B visas, the White House said there were no specific plans to raise the issue during Modi&rsquo;s visit as it was under review. 
&nbsp; 
&quot;On the (H-1B) visas issue, there&#39;s no plans for that to come up specifically,&quot; a senior administration official told reporters ahead of Modi-Trump meeting at the White House on Monday.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
&quot;But if it&#39;s raised, I would just note that the administration has signed some executive orders related to work and immigration, and President Trump&#39;s executive order on H1-B visas, of course, directs the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Homeland Security to propose potential reforms to the H1B visa program,&quot; the official said. 
&nbsp; 
The official added that there have been no immediate changes in the existing visa policy. 
&nbsp; 
&quot;However there have been no immediate changes to visa application or issuance procedures, so we&#39;re not in a position to kind of prejudge what the outcome of the review might be. 
So there&#39;s really been no changes as such at this point, and no specific changes that target any specific country or sector as of yet.&rdquo;

Trump and Modi have spoken twice over the phone after the former assumed office in January 2017. This will be their first personal meeting.

The Indian Prime Minister will also meet prominent American CEOs and interact with the Indian diaspora in US.

White House dinner

US President Donald Trump would host him for a dinner at the White House on Monday.

&quot;The White House is very interested in making this a special visit. We&#39;re really seeking to roll out the red carpet. In fact, the two (leaders) will have dinner, a working dinner at the White House. This will be the first dinner for a foreign dignitary at the White House under this administration. So, we think that&#39;s very significant,&quot; a senior administration official told reporters.

Modi will travel to Portugal on Saturday where he will meet the Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa.

&quot;Building on our recent discussions, we will review the progress of various joint initiatives and decisions,&quot; Prime Minister Modi said about his upcoming meeting with Costa.

&quot;We will also discuss ways to further enhance the bilateral engagement, especially in the areas of economic cooperation, science &amp; technology, space collaboration and people to people ties,&quot; the Prime Minister added.

In the last leg of his visit, Modi will visit the Netherlands on June 27 where he will meet the Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and call on King Willem- Alexander and meet Queen Maxima.

India and the Netherlands share a strong economic partnership. The Netherlands is India&#39;s 6th largest trading partner in the EU and 5th largest investment partner globally

&quot;The Dutch expertise in areas such as water and waste management, agriculture and food processing, renewable energy and ports and shipping, matches with our development needs,&quot; the prime minister said.

&nbsp;

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will reach the US on June 25 and will meet President Donald Trump the next day for five hours

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi left for Portugal on Saturday morning and will reach the United States the next day (June25). He will meet US President Donald Trump on June 26. The two leaders will meet on Monday at around 3:30 pm EST (1 am IST) for the first time. The meeting will last for about 5 hours. The two leaders will end their meeting with a White House dinner, the first by the Trump administration for a visiting foreign leader. Modi will then visit the Netherlands on June 27. Speaking before his departure, Modi said that the aim of the US visit is to "build a forward looking vision" for the Indo-US bilateral partnership and consolidate the strong relationship between the two countries. "My USA visit is aimed at deepening ties between our nations. Strong India-USA ties benefit our nations & the world," he tweeted. India and the United States came closer during the regime of President Barack Obama owing to a warm relationship shared between the two leaders. The visit will aim to capitalise on that relationship to further strengthen the ties. Already on the agenda is the big-ticket defence deal which will see US supplying 22 Predator drones to India. Sources close to the deal have signalled that the entire US administration is positive about the deal. India is one of United States' biggest defence markets. On the issue of H-1B visas, the White House said there were no specific plans to raise the issue during Modi’s visit as it was under review. "On the (H-1B) visas issue, there's no plans for that to come up specifically," a senior administration official told reporters ahead of Modi-Trump meeting at the White House on Monday. "But if it's raised, I would just note that the administration has signed some executive orders related to work and immigration, and President Trump's executive order on H1-B visas, of course, directs the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Homeland Security to propose potential reforms to the H1B visa program," the official said. The official added that there have been no immediate changes in the existing visa policy. "However there have been no immediate changes to visa application or issuance procedures, so we're not in a position to kind of prejudge what the outcome of the review might be. So there's really been no changes as such at this point, and no specific changes that target any specific country or sector as of yet.” Trump and Modi have spoken twice over the phone after the former assumed office in January 2017. This will be their first personal meeting. The Indian Prime Minister will also meet prominent American CEOs and interact with the Indian diaspora in US. White House dinner US President Donald Trump would host him for a dinner at the White House on Monday. "The White House is very interested in making this a special visit. We're really seeking to roll out the red carpet. In fact, the two (leaders) will have dinner, a working dinner at the White House. This will be the first dinner for a foreign dignitary at the White House under this administration. So, we think that's very significant," a senior administration official told reporters. Modi will travel to Portugal on Saturday where he will meet the Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa. "Building on our recent discussions, we will review the progress of various joint initiatives and decisions," Prime Minister Modi said about his upcoming meeting with Costa. "We will also discuss ways to further enhance the bilateral engagement, especially in the areas of economic cooperation, science & technology, space collaboration and people to people ties," the Prime Minister added. In the last leg of his visit, Modi will visit the Netherlands on June 27 where he will meet the Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and call on King Willem- Alexander and meet Queen Maxima. India and the Netherlands share a strong economic partnership. The Netherlands is India's 6th largest trading partner in the EU and 5th largest investment partner globally "The Dutch expertise in areas such as water and waste management, agriculture and food processing, renewable energy and ports and shipping, matches with our development needs," the prime minister said.

Indian PM Modi leaves for three-nation tour to 'deepen bilateral ties'

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