Predator drones: India and US poised to seal $3.1 billion MQ-9B Predator drone deal before October end

The Indian Defence Ministry is progressing with a significant acquisition of Predator drones from US-based General Atomics, following approval from the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) on July 30, according to a Hindustan Times report. The deal, valued at approximately $3.1 billion, is now pending expenditure approval from the Finance Ministry and final authorization from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). The acquisition must be completed by October 31 to avoid potential price increases from the manufacturer.

Details of the Predator Drone Acquisition

India plans to purchase 31 MQ-9B Predator drones, each equipped with air-to-surface missiles and laser-guided bombs. Of these, 16 drones will enhance the Indian Navy’s maritime security operations, eight will be assigned to the Indian Army, and the remaining eight will support the Indian Air Force. The deal marks a strategic enhancement of India’s defense capabilities across maritime and land operations.

The Indian forces aim to induct 10 MQ-9B drones as soon as possible, with the remaining drones to be delivered in batches every six months. The Navy’s MQ-9Bs will be stationed at command and control centers in Arakkonam and Porbandar, close to the coastline. The drones allocated to the Army and Air Force will focus on monitoring the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

During a visit to the US in August, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh received a detailed briefing on the Predator drone’s capabilities from General Atomics. The Predator drones have a proven track record of precision strikes in the Middle East and Afghanistan, targeting high-value assets effectively.

Currently, India is utilizing two Sea Guardian drones, which are the unarmed variants of the Predator, on lease from General Atomics for maritime surveillance. Although the lease was set to expire in January 2024, the Indian Navy has extended it for an additional four years. These drones offer real-time maritime domain awareness, covering critical areas from the Sunda Straits in Indonesia to the Suez Canal and the southern Indian Ocean.

Why India is buying Predator drones

The decision to acquire armed drones has become more urgent due to the increasing use of such technology in global conflicts, including Ukraine and Gaza. Non-state actors like the Houthis and Hezbollah have also begun deploying drones in their operations. Additionally, China and Pakistan currently operate weaponized drones, with Beijing supplying such platforms to Islamabad. This acquisition reflects India’s strategic response to the evolving landscape of modern warfare and regional security dynamics.This deal represents a significant step in enhancing India’s defense infrastructure and addressing the growing importance of unmanned aerial systems in contemporary conflicts.