https://sputniknews.in/20230614/us-pushing-india-to-ink-multi-billion-deal-for-armed-drones-during-modi-visit-2477254.html
US Pushing India to Ink Multi-Billion Deal for Armed Drones During Modi Visit
US Pushing India to Ink Multi-Billion Deal for Armed Drones During Modi Visit
Sputnik India
For years, New Delhi has evinced interest in purchasing armed drones from Washington for its three services - the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
2023-06-14T13:16+0530
2023-06-14T13:16+0530
2023-06-19T14:38+0530
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The Joe Biden administration is pressing India to sign a multi-billion deal for American MQ-9 Sea Guardian drones during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming state visit to Washington later this month, foreign media reported on Wednesday.Though India's initial plan was to purchase at least 30 Sea Guardians, also known as Predators, recent reports suggest that the figure has been scaled back to 18 with India's Army, Navy, and Air Force, all tipped to receive six apiece. Currently, the Indian Navy operates two MQ-9 Sea Guardians, which the country's blue water force leased from General Atomics following the military standoff with China in the Ladakh sector in 2020.Despite a growing interest in procuring Predators, the contract is yet to be signed since the talks have remained stuck over price negotiations.However, the US negotiators are confident that the upcoming Modi-Biden summit at the White House will succeed in breaking the logjam.The prospective agreement is particularly vital for America given that Washington has been lobbying New Delhi to part ways with Russia, its most trusted ally and defense partner since independence.Recently, US Defense Secretary Llyod Austin said that America was keen to share critical weapons technology with India, including an offer for joint production of munitions such as fighter planes and armored vehicles. However, former Indian military veterans were not too enthused with Austin's statement with a retired Major General even arguing that New Delhi should only conclude an agreement with the US on favorable terms.
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US Pushing India to Ink Multi-Billion Deal for Armed Drones During Modi Visit
13:16 14.06.2023 (Updated: 14:38 19.06.2023) For years, New Delhi has evinced interest in purchasing armed drones from Washington for its three services - the Indian Army, the Indian Navy, and the Indian Air Force.
The Joe Biden administration is pressing India to sign a multi-billion deal for
American MQ-9 Sea Guardian drones during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's
upcoming state visit to Washington later this month, foreign media reported on Wednesday.
Though India's initial plan was to purchase at least 30 Sea Guardians, also known as
Predators, recent reports suggest that the figure has been scaled back to 18 with India's Army, Navy, and Air Force, all tipped to receive six apiece.
Currently, the Indian Navy operates two MQ-9 Sea Guardians, which the country's blue water force leased from General Atomics following the
military standoff with China in the Ladakh sector in 2020.
Despite a growing interest in procuring Predators, the contract is yet to be signed since the talks have remained stuck over price negotiations.
The deal is expensive and believed to be worth $3 billion for 30 MQ9B Sea Guardian drones. The total amount is expected to be paid in installments in many years.
However, the US negotiators are confident that the upcoming Modi-Biden summit at the White House will succeed in breaking the logjam.
The prospective agreement is particularly vital for America given that Washington has been lobbying New Delhi to part ways with Russia, its most trusted ally and defense partner since independence.
Recently, US Defense Secretary Llyod Austin said that America was keen to
share critical weapons technology with India, including an offer for joint production of munitions such as fighter planes and armored vehicles.
However, former Indian military veterans were not too enthused with Austin's statement with a retired Major General even arguing that New Delhi should only conclude an agreement with the US on favorable terms.
"America has never been a reliable partner to us as we know and at the last minute, it is capable of ditching any country, including India. The DNA of any country does not change, though slight modifications can take place, the DNA remains the same," Major General (Retired) S. P. Sinha told Sputnik last week.
