According to reports, India has formally submitted a request to the United States to acquire a total of 31 advanced Predator-B drones, commonly known as MQ-9B Reapers. These drones are equipped with advanced defense technology, including weaponry, and the contract is slated for completion within the current fiscal year. The Ministry of Defence recently dispatched a detailed Letter of Request (LoR) for these remotely-piloted "hunter-killer" aircraft systems, along with mobile ground control systems and related equipment.

In response to India's request, the Biden administration is expected to issue a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LoA) to the US Congress under the foreign military sales (FMS) program, which will include cost details and the necessary notification. This response is anticipated within the coming month or two.

Negotiations between the two nations will determine the final price for the acquisition of these 31 drones, comprising 15 Sea Guardians for the Navy and 16 Sky Guardians for the Army and Indian Air Force. The initial approval from the defense ministry estimated the transaction's cost at approximately $3.1 billion.

The objective is to secure an official contract for this high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) drones within the current fiscal year, pending approval from the cabinet committee on security. The armed forces are eager to complete the induction of these drones, which will be assembled in India by General Atomics (GA) over the next six to seven years.

Compared to China's armed drones, the MQ-9Bs offer significantly enhanced capabilities, which will bolster India's long-range surveillance and precision strike capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region and along the borders with China and Pakistan.

The LoR specifies the detailed requirements of the three services for the drones and their payloads, including equipping naval drones with maritime patrol radars.

The MQ-9B drones, similar in size to fighters, are designed for extended missions, capable of flying for up to 40 hours at altitudes exceeding 40,000 feet. They are equipped with Hellfire air-to-ground missiles and smart bombs for precise strikes.

Notably, the Indian Navy has been effectively utilizing two unarmed Sea Guardians on lease from General Atomics since September 2020 for high-end ISR missions in the Indian Ocean Region and along the 3,488-km Line of Actual Control with China.

This MQ-9B deal is also expected to support DRDO (Defense Research and Development Organization) in developing indigenous HALE drones capable of launching missiles and precision-guided munitions at enemy targets before returning to their home bases.

Image source: ET