US Predator Drones Deal: The Congress has raised questions on the price of the Predator drone take care of the US. On which a press release has been given by the Central Authorities. Protection Ministry officers stated on Thursday (June 29) that India has signed a take care of the US for 31 Predator drones. Negotiations relating to the value of that are within the preliminary stage. The proposed common estimated value can be 27 % decrease than different nations shopping for it from the US.
A senior Protection Ministry official advised information company ANI that to this point India has obtained indicative costs and knowledge from the US Workplace of Protection Cooperation and the procurement course of has to undergo varied phases of negotiation earlier than finalizing the value. He stated that if India doesn’t ask for added specs associated to the drone, then the price is more likely to go down additional throughout the talks.
India-US drone deal
The indicative value of those US-made drones is US $ 307.2 million. The official stated that for every drone, this value works out to US $ 99 million. He additionally stated that the United Arab Emirates, one of many few nations to have this drone, needed to pay US $ 161 million per drone. He stated that the MQ-9B that India desires to purchase is just like the UAE’s, however with higher construction.
Congress has raised questions
In line with the official, every of the sixteen such drones purchased by Britain value US$69 million, but it surely was solely a inexperienced plane with out sensors, weapons and certification. Options like sensors, weapons and payloads account for 60-70 per cent of the entire value. The Congress demanded full transparency within the Indo-US drone deal and alleged that 31 MQ-9B Predator UAV drones have been being purchased at a excessive value.
Modi authorities focused
Congress spokesperson Pawan Kheda stated that nationwide safety is paramount and plenty of doubts are being raised on the Predator drone deal. We demand full transparency on this Predator drone deal. India wants solutions to vital questions. In any other case we are going to get caught in one other rip-off within the Modi authorities. He stated that the Modi authorities is understood for jeopardizing nationwide pursuits and the individuals of India have seen the identical within the Rafale deal, the place the Modi authorities purchased solely 36 Rafale jets as an alternative of 126.
Protection Ministry dismissed the allegations
Senior Protection Ministry officers denied the claims made by the Congress and stated that this can be a clear one-to-one dialogue through which India is dealing instantly with the US. Common Atomics can promote high-technology drones to India solely by means of the US authorities below its International Navy Gross sales program. The Protection Ministry official stated any such high-technology deal falls below federal acquisition guidelines and requires the approval of the US Congress.
Largest order for 31 drones positioned
The drones that India desires to purchase can carry a considerable amount of weapons and may fly very excessive. Officers stated they will seize high-resolution photos even in adversarial situations. Common Atomics has additionally bought Predator MQ 9B drones to Belgium, UAE, Taiwan, Morocco and different nations. India has positioned the biggest order of 31 drones outfitted with all associated tools together with sensors and weapons. Officers stated that the Indian Navy has been utilizing two MQ 9B drones since 2020. These have been taken on lease.
Deal finished on PM Modi’s US tour
India and the US sealed the drone deal throughout Prime Minister Modi’s latest go to to the US, which is being seen as a part of his efforts to make India a drone manufacturing hub. These high-altitude and long-endurance drones are able to staying within the air for greater than 35 hours and may carry 4 Hellfire missiles and about 450 kg of warhead.
(additionally enter from PTI)
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