India and the US have signed deals worth Rs 32,000 crore for the purchase of 31 Predator drones and the establishment of a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility within the country.
The agreement was signed in the presence of senior defence officials following the Cabinet Committee on Security’s (CCS) approval of the acquisition. Of the 31 drones, 15 will be allocated to the Indian Navy, with the remaining split equally between the Army and Air Force.
According to defence officials, the foreign military sales contract was set to be signed on Tuesday, with an American delegation present. Hemant Jain, President of PHDCCI, emphasized the strategic significance of the deal, noting that the advanced Predator drones will enhance India’s Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and bolster border monitoring with Pakistan and China. These drones are expected to act as a force multiplier in cross-border operations and counter-terrorism efforts.
Jain further highlighted that this deal underscores the strengthening defence and strategic partnership between India and the United States, serving as a counterbalance to China’s growing influence in the region. It signals India’s commitment to enhancing its defence capabilities, sending a clear message to hostile neighbors about its determination to defend against any acts of aggression. By acquiring advanced defence technologies from allied nations, India is reinforcing its deterrence posture.
The deal, which had been in negotiations for years, overcame final hurdles at the recent Defence Acquisition Council meeting, as it needed approval before the 31 October deadline for the validity of the American proposal. India plans to station the Predator drones at four key locations: INS Rajali near Chennai, Porbandar in Gujarat, and Sarsawa and Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh. The acquisition is a tri-services agreement, with the drone numbers determined after a comprehensive scientific study by the Indian military.
