New Delhi

On Tuesday, India and the US finalized a deal worth Rs 32,000 crore for the purchase of 31 Predator drones and the establishment of a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in India. This agreement was signed in the presence of high-ranking officials from both nations, as confirmed by defence sources.

Recently, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved the acquisition, with 15 drones designated for the Indian Navy, while the remaining 16 will be shared equally between the Air Force and the Army. Defence officials revealed that this foreign military sales contract was anticipated to be signed on Tuesday, with American military and corporate representatives visiting India for this purpose.

Discussions about this deal have been ongoing for several years, but it gained momentum after clearing final obstacles during a Defence Acquisition Council meeting weeks ago. The agreement had to be completed by October 31, as that was the deadline for the American proposal’s validity.

The drones will be stationed at four potential locations: INS Rajali near Chennai, Porbandar in Gujarat, Sarsawa, and Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh. The acquisition is part of a tri-services deal, with the number of drones determined based on a scientific evaluation by the Indian military.