India is set to sign a significant deal worth $3.9 billion to purchase 31 MQ-9B Predator drones from the United States. This Predator drone deal will enhance India’s defense capabilities and strengthen the ongoing defense partnership between the two countries. The agreement includes 15 Sea Guardian drones for the Navy and 16 Sky Guardian drones for the Army and Air Force. It is expected to be finalized in mid-October.

Discuss Predator drone deal and plans for joint jet engine development

During a meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden, they talked about the new deal for drones. President Biden said this deal will help India improve its ability to gather information and keep watch over military activities. Because of this deal, the total amount of defense contracts between the US and India will go over $25 billion since 2007.

India wants to work together with the US to develop advanced weapons. Although they haven't agreed on any specific projects yet, Prime Minister Modi and President Biden talked about plans to make jet engines for India's Tesla Mark-2 fighter jets. If this happens, the US would share 80% of the technology needed to build these engines, and the project would cost about $1 billion.

Predator drone deal
Image Source: Bharat Shakti

Besides the drone deal, the US showed its Stryker armored vehicle with Javelin missiles during a military exercise in Rajasthan called 'Yudh Abhyas.' India is in talks to help make around 530 of these vehicles together. Modi and Biden also talked about working together on unmanned surface vehicles and improving India’s ability to maintain and repair aircraft and drones.

Military cooperation between India and the US is getting stronger. India recently held a large joint exercise called "Tiger Triumph." Modi and Biden stressed the need to collaborate in important areas like space and cybersecurity. As part of a new agreement, India will send military officers to work with US Special Operations in Florida and the Indo-Pacific Command in Hawaii.

Biden and Modi discuss strengthening US-India defense ties

President Biden hosted Prime Minister Modi at his home in Wilmington, Delaware, where they discussed various aspects of India-US relations, especially in defense. The joint fact sheet from their talks noted the progress made under the US-India defense industrial cooperation roadmap, focusing on co-production of jet engines, munitions, and ground mobility systems.

As part of enhancing defense collaboration, the two leaders welcomed the agreement between liquid robotics and sagar defense engineering for developing unmanned surface vehicles. They also praised the recent Security of Supply Arrangement (SOSA), which aims to strengthen the supply of defense goods and services between both nations.

This upcoming deal for the MQ-9B Predator drones marks a significant step in India’s defense strategy, allowing for greater military capability and deeper cooperation with the United States. The deal is expected to provide India with advanced technology and enhance its surveillance efforts, especially along its borders and in the Indian Ocean.

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