[ad_1]
New Delhi: India and the United States have further cemented defense cooperation with the Biden administration by submitting the final letter of acceptance (LOA) to the Ministry of Defense for the procurement of 31 MQ9B Predator drones from General Atomics through the government-to-government route. government. The United States this week sent the classified LOA for the acquisition of almost 4 billion dollars to India.
According to officials based in Washington and Delhi, the final LOA, with the negotiated price of 31 U.S.-armed drones with the manufacturer, was sent to the Ministry of Defense on March 11, debunking reports that the deal was delayed by the Administration. Biden after the alleged plot to assassinate Khalistani radical GS Pannun.
The US State Department notified the drone deal on February 1, but the draft LOA was kept open to potential objections from US lawmakers for a mandatory 30-day period. The final LOA was sent to India after lawmakers failed to veto the US deal with India.
Also Read: Exclusive: US Congress gives green light for sale of Predator drones to India
Now that the LOA has been received, the deal will be studied by the Indian Navy, the main player in the procurement, and then sent to the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) for approval through the Defense Minister if considered that the price is satisfactory. . The Indian Navy will receive 16 MQ 9B drones, and the Indian Army and Air Force will get eight each as per the agreement between the armed forces. India has decided to purchase 31 drones with 171 AGM 114 R Hell-fire missiles, laser-guided bombs, missile launchers, ground stations, anti-submarine sonobuoys and full encryption, as well as a complementary surveillance package for the next-generation platform.
Also read: How Predator drones will neutralize the Chinese threat
The acceptance letter is a response to India sending a letter of intent to purchase 31 drones from the US government. In the G-to-G route, it is the supplier government that negotiates the price with the manufacturer.
India’s acquisition of the 31 Predator drones came at a time when the lease of two Sky Guardian drones (unarmed Predators) by the Indian Navy was about to expire in January. It was first extended until March and then this month a contract was signed for a new four-year extension at a cost of $220 million to $230 million.
Also Read: Why Indian Predator drone will be a game changer against adversaries
Analysts say the MQ9B deal between India and the United States will be a game-changer in the Indo-Pacific, serving as an effective counter to Chinese Wing Loong II armed drones, which have also been sold by Beijing to its client state Pakistan.
Get current updates on Indian news, live farmers protests along with latest news and top headlines from India and around the world.