US Approves $4 Billion Deal to Sell 31 MQ-9B Armed Drones to India

The United States has approved the sale of MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones to India in a deal valued at nearly $4 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency has issued the necessary certification, informing the US Congress of the potential sale.

India had put forward a proposal to acquire 31 MQ-9B Sky Guardian drones during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official visit to the US last year. The Biden administration’s endorsement marks a significant milestone in this government-to-government agreement.

“The proposed sale will bolster the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by strengthening the strategic relationship with India and enhancing the security of a key defense partner,” stated the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. They highlighted India’s role in fostering political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia region.

The sale is expected to enhance India’s capacity to address present and future threats through unmanned surveillance and reconnaissance operations in sea lanes. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency expressed confidence in India’s ability to integrate these drones into its armed forces, noting the country’s commitment to modernizing its military.

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Negotiations for this critical defense deal spanned nearly six years, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US marking the final approval. The $3.99 billion agreement between the two governments will see the deployment of 31 drones across the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.

The US agency’s approval comes amid earlier reports suggesting a delay in the deal due to allegations regarding an Indian national’s involvement in a plot to target India-designated Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. While the Biden administration’s sign-off signals progress, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller neither confirmed nor denied the reports, emphasizing the important role of Congress in the arms transfer process. He stated, “Congress plays an important role in the US arms transfer process. We routinely consult with members of Congress on the foreign affairs committees before our formal notification so we can address questions that they might have, but I don’t have any comment on when that formal notification might take place,” and noted that he had not seen these reports in the Indian press.