Ahead of PM-Biden meet, India formally asks for ‘killer’ drones

[NG Missile Vessels]

NEW DELHI: Ahead of the Modi-Biden meeting on Friday, India has issued the formal request to the US government for the mega acquisition of 31 top-notch weaponised MQ-9B Reaper or Predator-B drones, aiming to ink the final contract within this financial year.

The defence ministry sent the detailed LoR (letter of request) for the 31 ‘hunter-killer’ remotely-piloted aircraft systems, along with their weapons packages, mobile ground control systems and other equipment, “a few days ago” to the US, top sources told TOI on Thursday.

The Biden administration, in turn, will now respond with the LoA (letter of offer and acceptance), with the costing and the requisite notification to the US Congress under its foreign military sales (FMS) programme, “within a month or two”, the sources said.

The final price of the 31 drones — 15 Sea Guardians for Navy and 16 Sky Guardians for Army and IAF — will then be sealed by the two sides. The defence ministry’s initial nod on June 15 had “noted” an estimated cost of almost $3.1 billion for the deal, as was reported by TOI.

“The push is to sign the actual contract for the high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) drones within this fiscal, if not within this calendar year, after clearance from the cabinet committee on security,” a source said.

“The armed forces are keen to complete the induction of all the drones, which will be ‘assembled’ in India by manufacturer General Atomics (GA), over the next six to seven years,” he added.

Far more capable than the armed drones with China, which has also been supplying Cai Hong-4 and Wing Loong-II drones to Pakistan, the MQ-9Bs will add muscle to India’s long-range surveillance and precision strike capabilities both in the Indian Ocean Region as well as the land frontiers with China and Pakistan.The LoR spells out the specific requirements of the three services for the drones and their payloads, which includes the naval ones being equipped with maritime patrol radars.

The deal will also involve GA setting up a “cost-effective and comprehensive global maintenance, repair, overhaul facility” in India, apart from also sourcing some components from Indian firms.

The fighter-sized MQ-9B drones are designed to fly for around 40 hours at altitudes over 40,000-feet for over-the-horizon ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) missions and are armed with Hellfire air-to-ground missiles and smart bombs for precision strikes.

The two unarmed Sea Guardians, acquired by the Indian Navy on lease from General Atomics in September 2020, incidentally, have been effectively used for high-end ISR missions both in the IOR as well as along the 3,488-km Line of Actual Control with China.

The MQ-9B deal is also expected to help DRDO develop indigenous HALE drones capable of firing missiles and precision-guided munitions on enemy targets before returning to their home bases.

Ahead of PM-Biden meet, India formally asks for ‘killer’ drones - Times of India

Ahead of the Modi-Biden meeting on Friday, India has issued the formal request to the US government for the mega acquisition of 31 top-notch weaponised MQ-9B Reaper or Predator-B drones, aiming to ink the final contract within this financial year.

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[One_Nation]

This is all to counter China. India will be dropped like an orphaned puppy after they are done with China.

 

[Paji]

This is all to counter China. India will be dropped like an orphaned puppy after they are done with China.

You are probably right, but that will take decades. India also knows there are no permanent friends, only permanent interests.

 

[Ali_Baba]

This is all to counter China. India will be dropped like an orphaned puppy after they are done with China.

True - but the Indians are getting REAL things like Engine tech transfer, IT industry outsouring, nuclear technology, IT technology in return. Long lived things. What exactly did the matric fail dumb dumbs of Pakistan get for payments that are long lived ?

 

[arjunk]

This is all to counter China. India will be dropped like an orphaned puppy after they are done with China.

And they will never have the guts to even utter China's name. Instead they will do a Balakot 2.0 against Pakistan with these.

 

[NG Missile Vessels]

True - but the Indians are getting REAL things like Engine tech transfer, IT industry outsouring, nuclear technology, IT technology in return. Long lived things. What exactly did the matric fail dumb dumbs of Pakistan get for payments that are long lived ?

Correct

 

[VkdIndian]

The Indian and Pakistani relations with US are starkly different. Both in depth and expanse.
Paksiatni focus was only on $$. When the fall-out happened, there was nothing left to show. At the peak of that love affair, the relationship was touted to be higher than the sky and deeper than the oceans.

India on the contrary is more realistic about the geopolitics. It knows that this relationship is not a - saat janmon ka rishta, but a contract of mutual benefit. Hence, India is working to get things that would remain even after the divorce. We can call it foresight, strategic thinking etc etc.

On the contrary, Paksiatn has shifted it’s higher than mountain and deeper than ocean friendship to China.

Pata nahin kab seekhenge?

 

[Dalit]

Pakistani generals signed up for this. From the very beginning during the Bush days.

 

[kingQamaR]

The Indian and Pakistani relations with US are starkly different. Both in depth and expanse.
Paksiatni focus was only on $$. When the fall-out happened, there was nothing left to show. At the peak of that love affair, the relationship was touted to be higher than the sky and deeper than the oceans.

India on the contrary is more realistic about the geopolitics. It knows that this relationship is not a - saat janmon ka rishta, but a contract of mutual benefit. Hence, India is working to get things that would remain even after the divorce. We can call it foresight, strategic thinking etc etc.

On the contrary, Paksiatn has shifted it’s higher than mountain and deeper than ocean friendship to China.

Pata nahin kan seekhenge?

Allow me to pls explain..

Kindly reconcile ur information you idiot and record the sole factor of getting involved into war against Soviets was to save our own country by joining the west .. had we not done that on time then the next destination of that unbridled elephant was Pakistan .. that was a very wise and strategic decision to ditch USSR right there in Afghanistan. And how we got our Nukes. Then came 9/11, and Bin Ladan crisis, followed by the the final chapter to US and Pakistan relations defeat in Afghanistan for them. There are still lot of angry people on Capitol Hill settling scores with Islamabad by doing deals with Delhi to rub our noses that’s all fine and okay no problem with us. You might not see this yet , but you have more similarities of 80s Pakistan than you think. Replace the former USSR with present day danger China , and you are now playing the role of Pakistan as a frontline state ( Cold War lol)
The west will make you keep your word to them when it comes to China be careful the goodies you are getting from them. They not given them to play with Pakistan lol

 

[VkdIndian]

idiot

Breathe my friend. If you want to discuss issues on a forum, you can disagree without getting abusive.

Name calling and abusing everyone, who has differing views, appers to have become your national trait. Relax.

There are still lot of angry people on Capitol Hill settling scores with Islamabad

Why did that happen?
Could it be due to double game played on them by the ISI?

Replace the former USSR with present day danger China , and you are now playing the role of Pakistan as a frontline state

Many of you would love to think that way. Indian thinking is much more mature. India hasn’t done anybody’s bidding and has stood steadfast to any coercion by the west. It knows, what path to take for own good. We buy weapons from Russia as well as the west. We bought oil from Russia against pressure from the entire west. There are many other instances, that clearly show a mature Indian decision making.
So, please stop comparing shortsighted and self serving rulers of yours to India’s. Even IK was all praises for them. Time for you all to also accept it. The first step towards self improvement is accepting one’s shortfall. This is that chance for your nation.

had we not done that on time then the next destination of that unbridled elephant was Pakistan .

That is what your establishment would like you all to believe. Otherwise, how would they justify their miscalculated actions.

If you can’t keep the discussion civil, please don’t engage.

 

[kmc_chacko]

Allow me to pls explain..

Kindly reconcile ur information you idiot and record the sole factor of getting involved into war against Soviets was to save our own country by joining the west .. had we not done that on time then the next destination of that unbridled elephant was Pakistan .. that was a very wise and strategic decision to ditch USSR right there in Afghanistan. And how we got our Nukes. Then came 9/11, and Bin Ladan crisis, followed by the the final chapter to US and Pakistan relations defeat in Afghanistan for them. There are still lot of angry people on Capitol Hill settling scores with Islamabad by doing deals with Delhi to rub our noses that’s all fine and okay no problem with us. You might not see this yet , but you have more similarities of 80s Pakistan than you think. Replace the former USSR with present day danger China , and you are now playing the role of Pakistan as a frontline state ( Cold War lol)
The west will make you keep your word to them when it comes to China be careful the goodies you are getting from them. They not given them to play with Pakistan lol

No country saved because of joining the war, so your claim that you joined war against Soviets and then later against Taliban was to save your country is quite a laughable stance. did ever any other bordering nations other than Pakistan took that stance ?

Firstly, we didn’t allow US free land access like you guys secondly, we are not Pakistanis to sell our motherland for $$, thirdly, unlike your army, our army is fighting for securing our border and not to conquer lands for Soviets or USA and once border is secured Army will return to barrack.

Your claim of how you got your Nukes, but, what is the use of it when your people are starving.

Many of you would love to think that way. Indian thinking is much more mature. India hasn’t done anybody’s bidding and has stood steadfast to any coercion by the west. It knows, what path to take for own good. We buy weapons from Russia as well as the west. We bought oil from Russia against pressure from the entire west. There are many other instances, that clearly show a mature Indian decision making.
So, please stop comparing shortsighted and self serving rulers of yours to India.

That is what your establishment would like you all to believe. Otherwise, how would they justify their miscalculated actions.

If you can’t keep the discussion civil, please don’t engage.

+1

 

[Puffin]

This is all to counter China. India will be dropped like an orphaned puppy after they are done with China.

Then you should be delighted. India will be dropped like a orphaned puppy !!!!!!
The problem is we do not see ourselves as orphaned puppies in need of rescue. We see ourselves as a regional power confident in our own abilities and potential and have absolutely no fears of being "dropped".

There are nations constantly in fear of being "dropped" and there are nations confident to form productive partnerships that are mutually beneficial.

 

[kingQamaR]

No country saved because of joining the war, so your claim that you joined war against Soviets and then later against Taliban was to save your country is quite a laughable stance. did ever any other bordering nations other than Pakistan took that stance ?

Firstly, we didn’t allow US free land access like you guys secondly, we are not Pakistanis to sell our motherland for $$, thirdly, unlike your army, our army is fighting for securing our border and not to conquer lands for Soviets or USA and once border is secured Army will return to barrack.

Your claim of how you got your Nukes, but, what is the use of it when your people are starving.



+1

Pakistan did actually right helping Afghan people to confront USSR. Like you see in Ukrainian. Otherwise our own sovereignty wouldn't survive against communism invasion . All east European countries and east Germany enjoying independence due to the blood given by Afghans and Pakistani in Russian war over Afghanistan. I guess u Indians never thought of it like that. Oh well .. not to worry it happened long ago

 

[indushek]

This is all to counter China. India will be dropped like an orphaned puppy after they are done with China.

https://www.aninews.in/news/world/a...nnounced in,institutions of the two countries.

Not impossible given how International relations work, and that future is unpredictable.

However there is one difference between Indian and Pakistani approach, when it comes to engaging with USA.

We aren't just engaging on military terms with them, and are getting Business and Tech relations as well.

The jet engine deal, and then the Predator deal are all for short-term. If you check the attached link, this is the true game changer for us. Joint tech development, and its institutions who will be doing it and not leaders.

Politicians come and go, but institutions stay. One thing everyone can be sure is that, as long as these joint partnerships work and produce tech that can economically benefit the partners, things won't stop.

 

[kingQamaR]

Actually Pakistan did not help Afghan people.
Yes, they are Pakistan worst enemies.

But in Soviat war, Afghani govt was communist. and they were supporting communism.
They want Russian should capture Pakistan.
KGB, Khaad (NDS new name) were involved in bombings in Pakistan even before start of Soviat war.

CIA helped Pakistan and even more she helped Europe.
Because Russians are/were more aggressive (than Chinese).
They want to stop trade route of Europe, like US want to stop Chinese trade route.

US and NATO are capatilist and they want to stop communism every where.

In past, US supported Pakistan due to capitalism and Russia supported India due to communism. Now story is opposite, as Cina is communist and US is capitalist.

And with communism and capitalism, their national interests and politics are attached.

Do not forget the Chinese were involved long way back even before CPEC. This is how China helped Paistan and Mujahideen to defeat USSR, but no Pakistani media talks about it. Everyone was involved Gwadar is too strategicly important to be left alone access to warm waters for USSR . It's really funny how everyone got this war wrong, every country assumed someone else was up to something, I'm really surprised that it didn't snowball into something bigger. Russia Understand because He Did help them in 1971 Same Way we to them in 1980.