Citing sources of NDTV Report It is said that the deal for the purchase of MQ-9 was approved in the meeting of the Defense Procurement Council held on Thursday, June 15 under the chairmanship of Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. The final approval for this has to be obtained from the Cabinet Committee on Security. India is going to buy 30 drones from America, which will be distributed to the three armies of the country.
Reports suggest that the deal is worth $3 billion. Out of 30 MQ-9 drones, the Army and Air Force will get 8 each and the Navy will get 14 drones.
Through MQ-9 developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, the enemy can be attacked with missiles from a distance of 1200 kilometers. The US had used this and some other such models to monitor and attack terrorist activities in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Although America has many Predator drones, but if we talk about the popular MQ-9A Reaper drone, it can fly at a maximum height of 50,000 feet. Its top speed is 240 KTAS (445 kmph). Its length is 36 feet, wing span is 66 feet and maximum gross takeoff weight is 4,763 kg.
Gerenal Atomics also has several other Predator drones, including the MQ-9B STOL, MQ-9B SeaGuardian, MQ9B SkyGuardian as well as many other drones.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going on an official state visit to the US on June 22, where according to reports, co-production of weapons and ground vehicles is also expected to be discussed between PM Modi and President Biden.