India signs deal to buy 31 US 'killer' UAVs

Rendering of a simulated MQ-9B SeaGuardian operating at sea

The Hindu newspaper quoted information from the Indian Ministry of Defense confirming the deal just signed with the US, according to which the New Delhi government purchased 16 "killer" UAVs of the MQ-9B SkyGuardian series and 15 UAVs of the MQ-9B SeaGuardian series. All are equipped with weapons.

Under the agreement, the Indian Navy will receive 15 SeaGuardians, while the remaining 16 SkyGuardians will be divided equally between the Indian Air Force and the Army.

Witnessed by senior Indian Defense Ministry official Giridhar Aramane, the deal also includes 170 AGM-114R Hellfire missiles, 16 M36E9 Hellfire missiles, 310 GBU-39B/B small guided bombs and 8 GBU-39B/B test bombs, along with provisions related to logistics and maintenance.

The new deal between India and the US was approved by the New Delhi government's Cabinet Committee on Security last week, alongside a deal to build two indigenous nuclear attack submarines.

The deal was finalized after negotiations that began in 2018. With these "killer" UAVs, India hopes to enhance its reconnaissance and intelligence gathering capabilities. The deal also reflects the increasingly close relationship between New Delhi and Washington, especially in the military field.

India’s defense regulator approved the purchase of the General Atomics drones last year, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the U.S. in June 2023. The Pentagon gave the green light to the deal in February.

Reuters quoted informed sources as saying that the Indian Navy will focus on deploying MQ-9B SeaGuardian in the Indian Ocean.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/an-do-ky-thoa-thuan-mua-31-uav-sat-thu-cua-my-185241015203123165.htm