Washington: The proposed drone deal between the United States and India has garnered optimism from the US State Department, which sees it as a significant step towards advancing strategic technology cooperation.
The deal, announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit last year, underscores the considerable growth in the US-India defence partnership over the past decade.
Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the US State Department, underscored the deal’s importance in fostering strategic technology cooperation and military collaboration in the region. He highlighted the customary consultation process with Congress on foreign affairs committees before formal notifications are made regarding arms transfers.
The drone deal, part of broader efforts to bolster defence ties, was welcomed by US President Joe Biden and PM Modi in June 2023. It involves India’s procurement of General Atomics MQ-9B HALE UAVs, which will significantly enhance India’s armed forces’ ISR capabilities across various domains. Additionally, General Atomics will establish a comprehensive global MRO facility in India as part of the agreement.
The agreement holds strategic significance for India’s national security, particularly in monitoring activities along its maritime and land boundaries with adversaries such as Pakistan and China. The acquisition of Predator drones, capable of flying up to 36 hours continuously, will enable focused surveillance and monitoring of critical areas of interest.
Moreover, the signing of an MoU between General Electric and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the manufacture of GE F-414 jet engines in India, for the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited Light Combat Aircraft Mk 2, was hailed as a landmark achievement by President Biden and Prime Minister Modi, further cementing the defence partnership between the two nations.
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