A report in the Economic Times states that the US is providing MQ-9B drones to India. The cost offered to India is 27 percent less than what the UAE paid for the same drones. The price of each drone is USD 99 million, which is lower than the USD 161 million paid by the UAE for each drone.
India’s interest lies in acquiring the MQ-9B, which bears similarities to the UAE’s version. However, it comes with an enhanced configuration, as mentioned in the report. Currently, the Defence Ministry has not started negotiations with the US to determine the final price of the drones.
The MQ-9B is a long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that can perform a range of missions. These missions include intelligence gathering, surveillance, reconnaissance, and carrying out armed strikes. It is based on the MQ-9 Reaper, which is currently in use by the US Air Force.
The Indian government has been pursuing the procurement of the MQ-9B for several years. In 2020, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved the acquisition of 30 MQ-9B drones; however, the deal has not been finalized.
The Economic Times report indicates that the US is willing to provide a significant discount to India for the MQ-9B. This is likely due to India being a major potential market for unmanned aerial vehicles. The Indian government aims to acquire a substantial number of UAVs in the upcoming years, with the MQ-9B playing a crucial role in their future airpower capabilities.
It remains to be seen whether the Indian government can negotiate a mutually acceptable final price. Nevertheless, the Economic Times report suggests that the US is open to price flexibility, potentially paving the way for a deal in the near future.
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