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NATION JULY 07, 2023 | The Indian Eye 6

Missiles and big coverage area:

How Predator drone will add to the

firepower of Indian forces

OUR BUREAU
New Delhi

ndia secured the deal to procure
Predator drones made by Gen-
Ieral Atomics, which was one of
the major takeaways of Prime Min-
ister Narendra Modi’s maiden state
visit to the US last week. This mega
pact that will allow American Navy
ships to undertake major repairs at
Indian shipyards.
President Biden and Prime Min-
ister Modi welcomed India’s plans
to procure General Atomics MQ-9B
HALE UAVs. The MQ-9Bs, assem-
bled in India, will enhance the ISR
capabilities of India’s armed forces
across domains. As part of this plan,
General Atomics will also establish
a Comprehensive Global MRO fa-
cility in India, read US-India joint
statement.
India will be acquiring as many
as 31 Predator drones from the US The Indian drones would be equipped with both land and sea surveillance equipment, which they would be able
soon, and that would be operated by
the tri-services jointly. The Predators, to use in different terrains as per requirements (File photo)
also called the MQ-9 Reaper, can fly
up to 36 hours at a stretch and can be be sent by the US government and Chief also rebutted any speculation if you just look at the map here (says
used for focused monitoring of any there would be negotiations”. of the wrongdoings and said that while pointing towards map), it’s a
specific point or area of interest. “The price has not been decided. what is being purchased is the mini- very large area, you have to keep al-
But a controversy has sparked I think there are speculations about mum operational requirement of the most to go as far as 2500 to 3000 miles
about the price of the drone. the price which should be kept aside. defense forces. to keep that area under surveillance
Refuting all the speculations of Whatever will be done, will be done Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Ku- for various requirements.
alleged overpricing in the predator in the national interest, and the gov- mar, on Wednesday, said the Predator He said the drone helps to know
drones deal with General Atomics, ernment is working to create a capa- drones provide a lot of capability to who all are operating in the area of
Vice Admiral SN Ghormade (Retd) bility for the defense,” he added. the armed forces and they are keen to interest of the Indian Navy.
said that the process of acquisition is Ghormade said that the preda- acquire them. “Indian Navy has been Indian defense forces are plan-
yet to start and the price has still not tor drone deal is very important for operating these drones. They fall in ning to integrate made-in-India mis-
been decided. the armed forces as it enhances its the category of the HALE, (high alti- siles on Predator drones, which are
He also called the deal very im- much-needed capabilities. tude long endurance drones). So, we being acquired from the US under a
portant for the armed forces adding “It is a very important deal for realized that these drones are needed foreign military sales deal. Defense
that all the decisions will be taken the armed forces because it provides for better surveillance and increased officials are in the process of identi-
in the national interest. Vice Admi- capability on intelligence, surveil- maritime domain awareness,” the fying indigenously developed weap-
ral SN Ghormade (Retd), said, “At lance and reconnaissance. This is an Navy Chief said. on systems which can be equipped
present, an Acceptance of Necessity extremely important capability for “So, we had taken two of these on these drones when they arrive.
(AoN) has been accorded by the De- the armed forces to provide security on lease from November 2020 on- “When indigenous weapons are
fense Acquisition Council, which was to the nation. wards. And since then, we have been made, how do we integrate them into
a joint case of Army, Navy and Air Because it gives the surveillance operating it,” he said in an interview. this (Predator),” Navy Chief Admiral
Force. And now the process of acqui- capability, and we are able to cover He said that the forces have under- R Hari Kumar said in an interview
sition will start. Because, it’s a foreign a wide expanse of the Indian Ocean stood the benefits and advantages it with ANI on Wednesday.
military sales case, where a letter of Region and also the borders with our provides to them as it can keep large The Predator is armed with air-
request will be sent and then a Let- northern and western neighbors,” he areas under coverage. to-ground missiles and other weap-
ter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) said. Explaining the capabilities of the ons along with big surveillance and
would be sent ... and agreement will The former Indian Navy Vice drones in detail, the Navy chief said intelligence payloads.

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