The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the two mega projects on Wednesday. These include procuring 31 Predator long-endurance drones from the US and indigenously building two nuclear-powered conventional submarines. This decision aims to enhance India’s military capabilities significantly.
The MQ-9B “hunter-killer” drones are being purchased from the US defence company General Atomics through the foreign military sales program at a total cost of around USD 3.1 billion. The CCS decision was expected anytime soon as the US proposal was set to expire by October 31. The agreement is expected to be finalized soon.
The acquisition of 31 Predator drones armed with Hellfire missiles and GBU-39B precision-guided bombs will enhance the Navy’s operational capabilities. Out of the 31 drones, 16 will be given to the Indian Navy and eight each to the Indian Army and Indian Air Force respectively.
In June last year, the Defence Ministry approved the procurement of the MQ-9B Predator armed drones from the US under a government-to-government framework.
The Predator drone is set to be a game-changer in the region. This platform has high endurance, operates at high altitudes, and is equipped with lethal weapons, allowing it to take on the ‘hunter-killer’ role. The surveillance footage from the Predator drone is reportedly superior to that obtained from the Boeing P-8I aircraft. It will greatly enhance Indian maritime domain awareness from the Gulf of Aden to the Sunda Straits and take it to the next level.
The indigenous construction of two nuclear-powered conventional submarines will cost around Rs 40,000 crore, as per defence sources. The project will be carried out at the Ship Building Centre in Visakhapatnam and will involve participation from the Indian private sector. This marks a major step in the country’s efforts towards indigenising its defence industry.
Team BharatShakti