Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden are expected to announce a deal on the sale of armed drones to India during their meeting in Washington, DC on June 22, 2023.
The drones that are being considered for sale are the General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper, which is a long-range, high-altitude, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that can be armed with missiles and bombs. The Reaper is already in use by the US military and is considered to be one of the most advanced UAVs in the world.
The sale of armed drones to India would be a significant development, as it would mark the first time that the US has sold such weapons to a non-NATO country. The sale has been controversial, with some critics arguing that it would give India too much military power and could destabilize the region.
However, the Indian government has argued that the drones are necessary to boost the country’s defense capabilities and to deter aggression from China. The government has also said that the drones will only be used for defensive purposes.
It is still unclear whether the deal on the sale of armed drones will be finalized during Modi and Biden’s meeting. However, the fact that the two leaders are even discussing the sale is a sign of the growing strategic partnership between the US and India.