New Delhi: India has almost canceled plans to buy 30 driverless Predator drones to be purchased from the US. HT’s news claimed that the $3 billion plan to be bought for the Indian Army was shelved. According to sources, the US Defense Ministry has been informed in this regard to the Pentagon. India now wants to manufacture and develop all kinds of weapons and defense equipment for indigenous development and manufacturing. This is the reason that this $ 3 billion deal with America has been canceled in a way.
The Predator drone reconnaissance of the enemy’s nefarious activities in the border areas and can also attack enemy positions by gathering intelligence. This drone is capable of reconnaissance in the sky for 35 hours. Recently, on 3 February, the Narendra Modi government had banned the import of drones, the acquisition of unmanned vehicles ie UAVs. However, this ban exempted the acquisition of unmanned aerial vehicles for security purposes. However, these require specific approval for the acquisition. A top Defense Ministry official said on the condition of anonymity that for the time being this deal should be considered as canceled.
India has two surveillance drones
Last year, the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) approved a proposal to procure MQ-9B drones equipped with surface-to-surface missiles. Under this, it was planned to buy 30 armed ‘Predator’ drones from India America. Of these, 10-10 drones of the three armies were about to be received. About Rs 22,000 crore (US$ three billion) was going to be spent on these drones to be purchased for the three armies. However, the Indian Navy has already taken two surveillance Predator drones on lease from the American company. It is being used for reconnaissance of the enemy’s nefarious antics on the China and Pakistan border.
India has the capability to make drones
The plan to buy the Predator drone has also been shelved because India has the capacity to make such drones. Currently, India is upgrading Israel’s Heron drone. Predator-type drones can be armed with weapons. In this, missiles and laser-guided bombs can be targeted. A Predator platform with armed payload costs around $100 million but takes 27 hours to equip. The Indian Navy uses such drones for maritime surveillance from the Gulf of Aden to the Sunda Strait in Indonesia.
