PM Modi US visit: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden on Thursday announced acquisition of General Atomics MQ-9 “Reaper” armed drones by India. The multi-billion-dollar deal will significantly upgrade India’s surveillance capabilities in the Ocean frontier. The MQ-9 drones not only provide security in Indian Ocean but also along the frontier regions with China. A joint statement released by representatives of two countries said “President Biden and Prime Minister Modi welcomed India’s plans to procure General Atomics MQ-9B HALE UAVs. The MQ-9Bs, which will be assembled in India, will enhance the ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) capabilities of India’s armed forces across domains.”
About MQ-9 “Reaper”
The General Atomics MQ-9 “Reaper” is capable of carrying 500 per cent more payload than its predecessor MQ-1 Predator. The upgraded MQ-9 ‘Reaper’ provides more endurance, strike capability and persistent surveillance compared to its predecessor. The drone boasts endurance of over 27 hours with speed of 240 KTAS. The device can operate up to 50,000 feet and has a payload capacity of 3,850 pound. The payload capacity also includes 3,000 pounds of external stores. According to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI), the device has been built as an evolutionary update of the battle proven Predator RPA, significantly adding to it overall credibility.
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The purchase and investment deal
The procurement of 30 MQ-9B Predator armed drones from the San-Diego based General Atomics was approved on June 15 during a Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The deal to buy 30 predators is done at a cost of over US $3 billion. A global maintenance and repair facility in India will also be set up by General Atomics “to support India’s long-term goals to boost indigenous defense capabilities.” Ahead of the meeting a senior administration officer had confirmed the deal to PTI, the official said “With regards to the Sea Guardian, Yes I think that’s going to be announced by the leaders tomorrow. India is committing to the purchase of the MQ-9 Reaper armed UAVs.” The device will provide much needed upgrade to India’s surveillance and overall national security capability along both water and land frontiers.
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