India is buying 31 sophisticated armed drones from the US. Drones are capable of operating in high mountain areas. Since 2018, the talks to buy these drones were going on.
The agreement was signed between the two countries in Delhi on Tuesday. India’s Ministry of Defense said that under the agreement, New Delhi will buy 31 armed ‘MQ-9B Sky-Guardian’ and ‘C-Guardian High Altitude Long Endurance’ (HALE) drones from Washington.
According to a Deutsche Welle report, the interests of both countries were involved in this case. India has felt the need for these drones for a long time. Especially if these drones are in hand, India’s surveillance and attack capabilities at high places will increase a lot. And the US interest was to move India away from Russia in arms purchases and counter China’s influence. Moreover, India is buying these drones for a huge amount of money. India will spend 32 thousand crore rupees to buy 31 drones.
The report also says that these drones can be used by the Indian ground and air forces as well as the navy. Because India is buying both types of drones. The Navy wants to use these drones in the Indian Ocean. 15 drones are being procured for the Navy and 16 for the Army and Air Force.
The Cabinet Committee on Security or CCS headed by the Prime Minister last week gave the final approval for the purchase of these armed drones. In June last year, the Ministry of Defense approved the purchase of this drone.
Reports published last May said that Air Force drones may be deployed at two air bases in Gorakhpur and Sarsaon in Uttar Pradesh.
The Indian Air Force and the Indian Army will get eight drones each. As a result, the entire border with China from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh will be covered by these drones. These drones can fly for 36 hours and reach a height of 40,000 feet. Missiles and smart bombs can be launched from this drone. Besides, this drone can also be used for surveillance.
