North News
New Delhi, October 15
The Ministry of Defence announced on Monday that it has signed a contract with the U.S government for the procurement of 31 MQ-9B Sky/Sea Guardian High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) Remote Pilot Aircraft Systems (RPAS). The deal is part of India’s efforts to modernize its military capabilities. Additionally, a contract has been inked with General Atomics Global India Pvt Ltd for performance based logistics, which includes Depot Level Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul of the RPAS in India.
The contracts were finalized in New Delhi in the presence of Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane. The move is expected to bolster India’s defense infrastructure and enhance operational readiness in collaboration with U.S. military technology.
This development follows discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden regarding the drone acquisition during the recent Quad Leaders’ Summit in Delaware. The deal, valued at approximately ₹32,000 crore, includes the establishment of a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility in India, the news outlet India Today reported.
Last week, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved the project, which allocates 15 drones to the Indian Navy, with the remaining units evenly distributed between the Indian Air Force and the Army.
The MQ-9B drones are set to be stationed at four potential locations: INS Rajali near Chennai, Porbandar in Gujarat, Sarsawa, and Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh.
