India's $3bn Predator drone deal with US advanced stages
India and the United States are keen for an early conclusion of the 30 MQ-9B predator armed drones deal at a cost of over 3 billion US dollar, which will help New Delhi strengthen its overall surveillance apparatus along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and the Indian Ocean.
In the works for more than 5 years, the 'ball is now in India's court', officials familiar with the development said Wednesday, without explaining further.
The MQ-9B predator armed drones- 10 each for three services- is seen to be a key part of India's national security and defense needs.
'I have to take that back and check on that,' Assistant Secretary of State for Political Military Affairs Jessica Lewis told media here when asked for the delay in the deal, which was announced in the summer of 2017.
However, the issues are believed to have been discussed during the meetings that the visiting India's National Security Advisor Ajit K Doval has had with top American leadership, including his counterpart Jake Sullivan.
During the meetings, it is believed that both countries expressed their eagerness to see that the drone deal is fast tracked. India is eager that an early decision would help it get an early delivery of MQ-98 predator drones that would strengthen its national security and surveillance not only in the Indian Ocean, but also along the LAC.
The Biden administration is keen on inking this deal as soon as possible, which will create jobs and would be politically beneficial ahead of the next year's presidential elections, according to people familiar with the development.
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