As part of the $3.1 billion deal for 31 MQ-9B Predator drones between India and the US, the American side is set to offer consultancy services to Indian entities for developing an advanced indigenous unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Over the past few years, India and the US have been negotiating this drone deal, which will see the Indian Navy receiving 15 drones, while the Air Force and Army will each receive eight. The consultancy proposal will be discussed and potentially approved at the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) meeting on Monday, as per defence sources. This will be the first DAC meeting under the Narendra Modi 3.0 administration and aims to boost the indigenisation of the defence sector under Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The consultancy is expected to significantly reduce the development time for an advanced Indian drone. The Indian Navy plans to deploy the MQ-9B drones at four locations, including INS Rajali near Chennai and Porbandar in Gujarat. The Air Force and Army will jointly operate the drones from bases in Sarsawa and Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh, which have the necessary long runway requirements. General Atomics, the American firm involved in this government-to-government deal, has held discussions with Indian officials in recent weeks. The strategic placement of these drones will enhance military surveillance capabilities along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, covering areas from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh. The Indian Navy is leading the negotiations for this tri-service level drone deal. The MQ-9B drones, known for their long endurance and significant runway requirements, will enable comprehensive maritime zone coverage and bolster surveillance along the LAC with China. The cost of the deal, initially pegged at around $4 billion, is expected to be lower as India will not take the entire package. With a flight time of over 36 hours at altitudes exceeding 40,000 feet, the MQ-9B drones can be equipped with Hellfire air-to-ground missiles and smart bombs. These fighter-sized drones excel in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. The Predator drones will significantly enhance India's capability to conduct unmanned surveillance and reconnaissance patrols, particularly in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and along its borders with China and Pakistan. The MQ-9B has proven its value by monitoring anti-piracy operations from naval headquarters, providing a clear picture of activities occurring up to 3,000 km from Indian shores. ( Source: Business Standard)