People with knowledge of the situation stated on Sunday that India is in “advanced stage” talks with the US to buy 30 MQ-9B Predator armed drones for more than USD 3 billion in order to expand its surveillance network along the border with China and in the Indian Ocean region.
The MQ-9B drone is a variation of the MQ-9 “Reaper” drone, which was used to fire a modified Hellfire missile that killed Ayman al-Zawahiri, the leader of al-Qaeda, in the centre of Kabul last month.
According to reliable defence establishment sources, negotiations between New Delhi and Washington for the government-to-government purchase of drones made by General Atomics are in progress. These sources also refuted claims that the transaction is off the table.
General Atomics Global Corporation CEO Dr. Vivek Lall told that negotiations between the two countries are far along in the acquisition programme.
He added, “We hear that the US and Indian governments are at an advanced level of discussion regarding the MQ-9B procurement plan.“
“Any queries on those discussions ought to be directed exclusively at the relevant governments. General Atomics cherishes our long-standing partnership with India and is prepared to sustain it, according to the firm,” Lall continued.
The three military are buying hunter-killer drones because they can perform a range of tasks, such as maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, and over-the-horizon targeting.
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