US Approves Sale Of 22 Maritime Predator Drones To India Ahead Of Prime Minister Modi’s Visit

In a surprise move on Thursday, the United states gave its approval for the sale of 22 MQ-9B maritime Predator drones to India, the Press Trust of India has reported. This development came just days after Reuters reported that the Indian government was looking to finalise the purchase of these drones for the Indian Navy when Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets US President Donald Trump for the first time.

If the Indian Navy gets these unarmed surveillance drones, it would be the first such purchase by a country that is not a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) alliance. These drones have been developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems at a cost of $11.8 billion. The purchase of the 22 unarmed drones will reportedly cost the Indian government more than $2 billion.

The Indian Navy wants these drones to keep watch over the Indian Ocean. The region has seen increased Chinese activity, including the deployment of submarines by the People’s Liberation Army Navy. With a range of more than 1,800 km, MQ-9B’s will provide the Indian Navy sufficient coverage over the region.

The deal is being seen in New Delhi as a key test of defense ties that flourished under former President Barack Obama but had not taken off under the new administration, which has remained embroiled in combating multiple internal controversies.