The United States has approved a $3 billion Foreign Military Sale (FMS) of 22 non-weaponised General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) SkyGuardian UAVs to the Indian Navy.
The deal has been approved by the US State Department, said sources to the news agency, adding that the same has been conveyed to New Delhi and the manufacturer of the drone- California-based General Atomics.
The agreement between US and India is for 22 unarmed drones is a clear indication that the two nations are looking forward to expanding bilateral relations, not only in trade but also in global causes like fighting terrorism.
Several media reports indicate that India is purchasing the unarmed surveillance drones as it wants to keep better vigil over the India Ocean – a first for a country that is not a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) alliance.
“We are trying to move it to the top of the agenda as a deliverable, this is something that can happen before all the other items,” said one official tracking the progress of the drone discussions to news agency Reuters.
It is not a secret that India is one of the largest importers of defence equipment; while it has struck deals with several nations, its healthy relationship with the US as a major defence ally.
“We are pleased that the U.S. government has cleared the way for the sale of the MQ-9B Guardian to the Indian Government,” said Linden Blue, CEO of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, in a statement to Defense News. “Guardian provides the endurance and capability required to significantly enhance India’s sovereign maritime domain awareness in the Indo-Pacific. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems is standing by to support the US and Indian Governments throughout this process”
Reacting to the development, sources tracking the discussions said the US State Department has expressed concern over the impact of introducing high-tech drones at a time when tension is boiling between India and Pakistan.
Though this time India was content with just unarmed surveillance drones, during the Obama administration, there was a demand for missile-firing Predator Avenger aircraft but the request was turned down.
In addition, US export laws prohibit transfer of deadly arms to a country, unless it is fighting alongside the US forces.
Source: Times Now