Ahead Of PM Modi's US Visit, Defence Ministry Approves Deal To Acquire Predator Drones

The Defence Ministry on Thursday approved a deal to acquire a batch of the Predator (MQ-9 Reaper) drone from America.

File photo of a Predator drone. ( Image Source :PTI )

The Defence Ministry on Thursday approved a deal to acquire a batch of the Predator (MQ-9 Reaper) drone from the United States of America. A final decision would be taken by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). The approval comes just before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US.

According to defence sources, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) meeting on Thursday approved the deal for the Predator drones. The acquisition proposal will now undergo a procedure and subsequently require clearance from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), reported news agency ANI.

The DAC is the highest decision-making body in the Defence Ministry for acquisitions, while the final approval for high-value acquisitions is granted by the CCS. The Indian Navy will be the recipient of 15 drones, which will be utilized for surveillance operations within its area of responsibility.

Additionally, the three services have plans to procure similar medium altitude and long endurance drones from indigenous sources.

India currently has two predator drones that were leased from an American company and have been assisting the Navy in keeping track on activities in the Indian Ocean region (IOR). The two drones leased from the Americans are also continuously monitoring the movement of Chinese research vessels and the Anti-piracy Escort Force.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to visit the United States from June 21-24. US President Joe Biden will host PM Modi at the White House. This visit marks PM Modi's first state visit to the US in his nine-year tenure as prime minister.

During this visit, PM Narendra Modi will script history by becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to address a Joint Meeting of the US Congress for the second time. Indian Americans view this invitation as a testament to the historic significance of the US-India relationship, symbolizing their shared aspirations and dedication to global peace and prosperity, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, reported ANI.

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