India signed a deal with the US State Department on Tuesday to buy 31 armed MQ-9B SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) drones, the South Asian nation's defence ministry said.
The deal follows talks that began in 2018. It is expected to significantly increase India's surveillance and intelligence capabilities.
India's apex defence body approved the procurement last year just before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to Washington, while the Pentagon approved it in February.
The drones will be predominantly used by the navy in the Indian Ocean Region, Reuters reported last year. Two of India's long-time rivals, China and Pakistan, have sophisticated air defence systems that can limit the use of the drones along India's land borders.
1734776708-0/Untitled-(8)1734776708-0-405x300.webp "article")
1734773637-0/Untitled-(7)1734773637-0-165x106.webp "article")
1734772637-0/Untitled-(6)1734772637-0-165x106.webp "article")
1734769757-0/Untitled-(4)1734769757-0-165x106.webp "article")
1734765764-0/Untitled-(3)1734765764-0-165x106.webp "article")
1734770488-0/Untitled-design-(3)1734770488-0-270x192.webp "saudi doctor detained after car attack on germany christmas market")
1734242367-0/Copy-of-Untitled-(4)1734242367-0-270x192.webp "us scraps 10m bounty for syria s new leader ahmed al sharaa after productive talks")
1700590050-0/Rahul-Gandhi-(2)1700590050-0-270x192.webp "india s rowdy parliament session ends")
1732089759-0/BeFunky-collage-(75)1732089759-0-270x192.webp "musk s post angers germans")
1734587529-0/Express-Tribune-(1)1734587529-0-270x192.webp "pakistan to host another icc event")
1734606611-0/Express-Tribune-(8)1734606611-0-270x192.webp "sindh govt announces public holiday")
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ