- Friday, February 28, 2025
Predators are manufactured by US’s General Atomics, an energy and defence company, and have been one of the most effective weapon systems.
By: Shubham Ghosh
India’s Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), led by defence minister Rajnath Singh, on Thursday (15) approved the deal for acquiring Predator drones from the US.
The acquisition proposal will have to follow a procedure following which it will have to be cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security, India Today reported citing top government sources.
Predators are manufactured by US’s General Atomics, an energy and defence company, and have been one of the most effective weapon systems for targeting terror groups in America’s war on terror against the Taliban and members of the Islamic State extremist outfit.
The long-endurance high-altitude drones come with strike missiles that can take out enemy targets with perfection. They will be used for long-range surveillance along India’s borders and maritime areas, the India Today report added.
The Indian Navy is the lead agency for the agreement in which 15 drones will be going to the maritime force for surveillance operations in its area of responsibility, Asian News International reported.
The drones would be equally distributed among the country’s three services and operated for surveillance along the border areas.
India is presently operating two predator drones that were hired on lease from a US firm and they have been helping its Navy for surveillance in the Indian Ocean region.
On Wednesday (14), Reuters reported that the Joe Biden administration is pushing the Narendra Modi government to give a nod to the deal ahead of the prime minister’s visit to Washington next week.
The US state department, Pentagon and White House have asked New Delhi to be able to “show” progress on the deal, according to the report.
