India to buy 31 armed drones from US

NEW DELHI (Reuters) -India signed a deal with the U.S. State Department on Tuesday to buy 31 armed MQ-9B SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) drones, the South Asian nation's defence ministry said.

The deal follows talks that began in 2018. It is expected to significantly increase India's surveillance and intelligence capabilities and is in line with U.S. efforts to coax India away from buying Russian military equipment and counter China's growing dominance.

India's apex defence body approved the procurement last year just before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to Washington, while the Pentagon approved it in February.

The drones will be predominantly used by the navy in the Indian Ocean Region, Reuters reported last year. Two of India's long-time rivals, China and Pakistan, have sophisticated air defence systems that can limit the use of the drones along India's land borders.

(Reporting by Ainnie Arif in New Delhi; editing by Barbara Lewis)

---

Serious News for Serious Traders! Try StreetInsider.com Premium Free!

---

You May Also Be Interested In

• Spain boosts security in Ceuta as calls appear online for another mass border rush
• Institutional investors reveal cautious approach to tech favorites in US quarterly 13F filings
• Jana Partners cuts stake in Fiserv, filing shows