India’s Maritime Security Strength Hoped; America Will Sell Predator Drone
Washington/New Delhi. The sale of 31 Predator drones to India has been approved. After which America has said that this was possible because India is one of its most important partners. America said that the mega drone deal will ensure India’s maritime security. America has approved this deal worth about four billion dollars on Thursday.
In his press conference after the approval of the drone deal, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said that our partnership with India is one of the most important relationships. We work closely with India on our most important priorities. When asked about the delivery of the mega drone deal, Miller said that I cannot give any time frame for it. Notifying Congress that approving the deal was the first step.
He said that we will talk to the Government of India about the delivery time in the coming months. The proposed mega drone deal was announced in June last year during PM Narendra Modi’s historic state visit to America. He said that under the $3.99 billion deal, India will get 31 High Altitude Long Endurance UAVs. It will provide India with an advanced maritime security and maritime domain awareness capability.
On the question asked on the tenure of outgoing Indian Ambassador to America Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Miller said that we have close relations with him. We wish him all the best for his next innings. He said the US is able to work with them on many shared priorities, including India’s important role in ensuring a free, open Pacific.
Approval for sale of $3.99 billion
The US on Thursday approved the sale of 31 MQ-9B Predator drones to India at an estimated cost of $3.99 billion. An American defense agency has announced this on Thursday. The proposed mega drone deal was announced during the historic state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June 2023.
