US to offer consultancy to India for indigenous drone development

The US has proposed providing consultancy services to assist India in developing its own advanced unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

The proposal comes as part of a substantial $3.1 billion deal for 31 MQ-9B Predator drones between the two countries, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

This initiative represents a key component of strengthening defence ties and enhancing India’s domestic defence production capabilities.

The agreement, which has been under discussion for several years, includes the delivery of 15 MQ-9B drones to the Indian Navy, while the Indian Air Force and Army will each receive two drones. The proposal for US consultancy, aimed at accelerating the development of an advanced Indian drone, is scheduled to be reviewed at the upcoming Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) meeting on Monday.

This DAC meeting will be the first under the current Narendra Modi administration and is expected to have a significant impact on the defense indigenization agenda led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The consultancy is anticipated to significantly shorten the timeline for developing a cutting-edge Indian UAV, thus boosting the country's defence capabilities.

The MQ-9B drones will be strategically deployed across India, with the Indian Navy positioning them at four locations, including INS Rajaji near Chennai and Porbandar in Gujarat. The remaining drones will be stationed at Sarsawa and Gorakhpur bases in Uttar Pradesh by the Indian Air Force and Army, which have long runways necessary for their operation.

General Atomics, the American company involved in the government-to-government deal, has been in discussions with Indian officials in recent weeks. The deployment of these drones is expected to enhance surveillance capabilities along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, spanning from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh.

This initiative highlights the ongoing collaboration between India and the US, aiming to bolster military capabilities and support India’s efforts in advancing its own defence technology.