Context: 

Recently, India and the United States concluded a $3.5 bn deal to procure 31 MQ-9B High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) for the Indian armed forces.

More on the News

• The 31 RPAS or Predator drones include 15 Sea Guardians for the Navy and eight Sky Guardians each for the Indian Air Force and the Army. 

• The deal for 31 MQ-9B UAVs was formally approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) last week along with another major deal for the indigenous construction of two Nuclear Attack Submarines (SSN).

• The Defence Ministry and General Atomics Global India also signed a contract for performance-based logistics for the drones through Depot Level Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul in India. 

• The deal also includes Hellfire missiles, laser-guided Small Diameter Bombs (SDB), guided test vehicles with live fuzes, and navigation systems among other equipment.

• This deal will further push another high-profile deal for local manufacturing of General Electric (GE) F414 jet engines for LCA-Tejas. 

Significance of the drone 

• Enhancing Military Capabilities: The acquisition of MQ-9B drones will significantly augment India’s intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. 
• Indigenous Defence Capabilities: A global MRO facility will be established in India through a contract with General Atomics to assemble MQ-9Bs, supporting India's goal to strengthen indigenous defence capabilities.
• Strategic Significance: The introduction of these high-altitude, long-endurance drones is expected to significantly enhance India's surveillance capabilities, allowing for effective monitoring of critical areas along the Line of Actual Control with China and in the Indian Ocean Region.