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US approves US$4 billion armed drone deal for India

  • The potential sale, which includes 31 advanced MQ-9B Sky Guardians, is notable given New Delhi’s historic reliance on weapons from Russia
  • The deal also includes sophisticated communications and surveillance equipment, 170 Hellfire missiles and 310 Laser Small Diameter Bombs

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An MQ-9B drone manufactured by General Atomics is displayed at the 54th International Paris Airshow in France in June 2023. Photo: Reuters

The United States on Thursday approved a US$4 billion sale of state-of-the-art drones to India, offering a new edge to the growing US partner as border tensions simmer with China.

The sale marks a milestone in Indian purchases of American weapons after New Delhi’s historic reliance on weapons from Russia, which have been increasingly controversial due to sanctions over the invasion of Ukraine.

Indian officials had discussed the drones during a state visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year at the invitation of US President Joe Biden, following Indian skirmishes both with China and its historic adversary Pakistan.

After months of discussion, the State Department said it had informed Congress of the sale, which includes 31 MQ-9B Sky Guardians, the most advanced among its Predator drones built by General Atomics.

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Biden, Modi hail new era of US-India ties and tout deals

Biden, Modi hail new era of US-India ties and tout deals

“The proposed sale will improve India’s capability to meet current and future threats by enabling unmanned surveillance and reconnaissance patrols in sea lanes of operation,” a State Department statement said.

“India has demonstrated a commitment to modernising its military and will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces.”

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