MQ-9B armed drones deal worth $3 billion to boost military strength
Hindustan TimesThe acquisition of 31 MQ-9B next-generation armed drones from the US, in a government-to-government deal estimated to be worth $3 billion, will significantly boost the Indian military’s strength as the versatile remotely piloted aircraft system has the capability to strike targets with its on-board weapons, it can carry out intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; and its other roles include electronic warfare, defensive counter air and airborne early warning, officials aware of the matter said on Thursday. India’s defence acquisitions council, the country’s apex weapons procurement body, had on June 15 given the clearance for procuring the drones made by General Atomics, in the run-up to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first State visit to the US. The Indian Navy currently operates a pair of MQ-9B SeaGuardian unarmed drones leased from the US three years ago to boost its intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. Read: India will acquire MQ 9B drones from US in phased manner, weapons in phase II The future of air combat is unmanned, and recent global conflicts, including the Russia-Ukraine war, have underlined the important role that armed drones can play, said Air Marshal Anil Chopra, director general, Centre for Air Power Studies.