India to Make Massive Purchase of US Reaper Drones

Indian Air Force procures 31 MQ-9B SeaGuardian aircraft in a deal worth more than $3 billion.

Jack Daleo

Friday, June 16, 2023 at 05:58 PM ET

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General Atomics’ MQ-9B SeaGuardian may soon be on its way to India. [Courtesy: General Atomics]

Key Takeaways:

India's long-awaited $3 billion deal to acquire 31 U.S. MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones is on the brink of approval, pending clearance from Prime Minister Modi's cabinet.
The sale, which stalled since 2017, holds significant geopolitical implications, aiming to strengthen U.S.-India defense ties and counter China's military influence, potentially reducing India's reliance on Russian technology.
These multi-mission drones, manufactured by General Atomics, offer diverse capabilities including long-range surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, and disaster relief, with India already operating two leased units since 2020.

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The long-awaited sale of $3 billion worth of Reaper drones to the Indian Air Force is on the brink of approval.

First reported by Reuters, India’s order for 31 MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones from the U.S. government is on the precipice of going through after India’s defense ministry approved it. The deal was initially brokered for 22 SeaGuardian aircraft all the way back in 2017 but has stalled for years.