Newsroom | MQ9B Predator Drone | China and Pakistan are no longer in trouble, India is going to get a letter from America for Silent Killer, Predator Drone. India-US Deal

The United States has officially approved the sale of MQ9B Predator drones to India, which will boost the country’s defense capabilities. The decision, which comes ahead of the general elections, was communicated through an approval letter sent to the Defense Ministry earlier this week. The move signals a major win for the Narendra Modi government as the deal to acquire 31 Predator drones underlines the deep strategic partnership between India and the US, despite ongoing talks over the investigation into the death of Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Is.

Originally approved in February, the drone deal was briefly delayed due to objections raised by US senators. However, after a 30-day objection period, the final draft of the approval was sent to New Delhi. The approval by the US Congress represents a significant step forward for the sale of 31 MQ9B drones to India. Top government sources said the US State Department has informed manufacturer General Atomics of the decision.

The arrangement will greatly benefit the Indian Navy, with almost half of the drones purchased are earmarked for naval use. These drones, an integral part of India’s security infrastructure, are set to provide a substantial boost to the country’s naval operations. The approval of the deal, originally announced during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the US last year, comes amid speculation about its fate in the light of the Punnun investigation. However, government sources have downplayed any potential impact, underscoring the immense importance of defense and security relations between the two countries.

What does this MQ9B deal mean for India? The draft letter of acceptance for the $3.99 billion (about Rs 32,000 crore) deal has been placed before the US Congress and will remain there for 30 days. After this, the final letter of acceptance will be sent to India. When a government-to-government foreign military sale takes place without the involvement of any middleman, the Indian government sends a letter of request to the US.

The letter has been examined and the US will respond with a letter of acceptance. Once this happens the deal will be sealed. Since this is a government-to-government deal, there has been no negotiation, so the deliveries will start as per schedule. This deal is very important for Indian national security. The Predator MQ9B is a highly capable, high altitude endurance drone. It can reach an altitude of 50,000 feet, operate at an altitude of 27,000 feet and is equipped with state-of-the-art missiles and surveillance suites.

This will not only enhance the capability of the Indian Navy, but will also further empower the Indian Army and add better battlefield transparency to the Indian Air Force. The agreement not only targets the maritime domain, but will also have an impact on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China as well as the Line of Control (LOC) with Pakistan.

How will these drones be used on LAC?

These drones have many capabilities. They will give you clear transparency on the battlefield on LAC. You will be able to know what are the capabilities of the Chinese PLA across the LAC, which include aircraft, bunkers, rockets and missile systems.

The Predator drone will also act as a deterrent if any aggressive activity is carried out by the PLA towards the Indian side. It has the capability to face the challenge of Chinese or Pakistanis at any height or ground.

Currently, India has two Sky Guardian drones on lease from General Atomics and these are based at INS Rajali in Tamil Nadu. When there was Chinese incursion in eastern Ladakh, India used these drones for surveillance capabilities. The pictures taken by the drone were absolutely spectacular.

The drones that India is purchasing not only have surveillance capabilities but are also equipped with weapons. These are Predator drones and the MQ9B is equipped with four Hellfire missiles which have a range of 11 kilometers. It is also equipped with at least two laser-guided bombs that have a range of 150 kilometers using a glide vehicle.

The Chinese already have an armed drone called Wing Loong 1 and 2. The Chinese have supplied or plan to supply 50 armed drones to Pakistan. This MQ9B drone is a next level capability and India needs something that the Chinese or Pakistanis can give us.