30 Predator drones from India and US cost Rs. Likely to buy for Rs 5,000 crore

(PTI) New delhi date. 13

India is likely to finalize an agreement with the US for the purchase of 30 multi-mission armed Predator drones in the near future for ૩ 3 billion (Rs 2,000 crore), official sources said in a statement.

The proposal to procure 20 MQ-2B long endurance drones will be approved by the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) in the next few weeks and then put before the Prime Minister-led Cabinet Committee on Security.

According to sources, the cost of the deal and the accompanying package details have been finalized and the agreement will be finalized in the current financial year.

According to Vice Chief Admiral of the Indian Navy, the proposal will be put before the DAC soon. This whole process involves all parties as a balanced decision is taken at the end. A final proposal for the agreement will soon be put before the Defense Acquisition Committee (DAC).

The three wings of the Indian Army - Army, Navy and Air Force - will get ten Predator drones each. The Predator drone was proposed by the Indian Navy.

It may be recalled that in 2012, the US had allowed the sale of armed drones to India. Last year, the Indian Navy leased two Predator drones from the United States. India took these drones from America to monitor the Indian Ocean.

In February last year, India signed a 4.5 billion deal with the United States to buy three MH-20 Romeo helicopters. The agreement for the Indian Navy was made with the American aerospace company Lockheed Martin.