Under the drone deal, India will acquire 31 High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) UAVs, Of these, the Indian Navy is set to receive 15 SeaGuardian drones
In a significant move to bolster national security, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved two crucial defence deals. According to reports from ANI, one of the deals involves the purchase of 31 Predator drones from the United States, while the other focuses on the construction of two nuclear-powered attack submarines in Vishakhapatnam. These approvals mark a major step in enhancing India’s surveillance and maritime capabilities.
Under the drone deal, India will acquire 31 High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) UAVs. Of these, the Indian Navy is set to receive 15 SeaGuardian drones, while the Indian Army and Air Force will each get eight SkyGuardian drones. The MQ-9B drones, which are being procured, are a variant of the MQ-9 “Reaper,” famously used to eliminate al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in Kabul in 2022.
This deal, worth around $3.1 billion, is part of a foreign military sales agreement with US defence giant General Atomics. The procurement of these long-endurance ‘hunter-killer’ drones will significantly strengthen India’s surveillance capabilities, especially along the sensitive Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. The SeaGuardian drones are also versatile, with roles ranging from maritime surveillance to anti-submarine warfare and over-the-horizon targeting. These drones can remain airborne for more than 35 hours and are equipped to carry Hellfire missiles and bombs, adding significant firepower to India’s arsenal.
In addition to the drone acquisition, the CCS has also cleared a deal for the indigenous production of two nuclear-powered attack submarines. These submarines will be built at the Ship Building Centre in Vishakhapatnam at a projected cost of around ₹45,000 crore. The construction will involve substantial participation from private sector firms, including Larsen and Toubro, showcasing a strong public-private collaboration in India’s defence sector.
The nuclear submarines will provide India with a strategic advantage in underwater warfare, boosting the capabilities of its naval forces.
The Predator drone deal, originally announced during Prime Minister Modi’s state visit to the US in June 2023, was on a tight timeline, with the American proposal set to expire by October 31. With the CCS approval, the deal is expected to be signed in the coming days, ensuring the timely procurement of these drones.
The Indian Navy had already leased two MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones from General Atomics in 2020 for surveillance operations in the Indian Ocean, and the lease has been extended. The newly approved deal will significantly expand the Navy’s capabilities in monitoring vast maritime territories.
These defence acquisitions reflect India’s continued focus on enhancing its security apparatus through modern technology and strategic partnerships, particularly in the face of growing regional challenges.
