The Indian Defence Ministry has approved the procurement of 30 MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones from the US. The deal is worth $3 billion. The drones will be used by the Indian Navy for surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
The MQ-9B Sea Guardian is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that is designed for maritime surveillance. It has a range of over 4,000 nautical miles and can stay in the air for up to 40 hours. The drone is equipped with a variety of sensors, including a radar, a camera, and an electro-optical/infrared sensor.
The procurement of the MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones is a significant boost for the Indian Navy. The drones will give the Navy a much-needed capability for surveillance and reconnaissance in the Indian Ocean Region. The drones will also be used to track ships and submarines, and to monitor illegal activities such as piracy and smuggling.
The procurement of the MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones is also a sign of the growing strategic partnership between India and the US. The two countries have been working together to strengthen their defense cooperation in recent years. The procurement of the drones is a further step in this direction.