India inks $4 billion deal for 31 predator drones from General Atomics

17 Oct 2024 CW Team

The signing ceremony, held in New Delhi, was attended by senior Indian defence and strategic officials, marking a significant milestone in Indo-US military cooperation. In addition to the purchase, the Defence Ministry and General Atomics Global India signed a contract for performance-based logistics, ensuring depot-level maintenance, repair, and overhaul services within India.

Last week, the Cabinet Committee on Security, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the deal for the MQ-9B drones, following an earlier approval by the Ministry of Defence in June 2023 through a government-to-government arrangement.

The agreement covers 15 Sea Guardian drones for the Indian Navy and 16 Sky Guardians for the Indian Army and Air Force. The Indian Army and Air Force are expected to station their drones at air bases in Sarsawa and Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, providing critical coverage across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh.

The Indian Navy will deploy 15 drones to enhance maritime surveillance and reconnaissance in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). These drones are designed to support unmanned patrols, anti-submarine warfare, and over-the-horizon targeting operations, ensuring broader maritime security.

With an endurance of over 36 hours and an operational altitude exceeding 40,000 feet, the Predator drones can be armed with Hellfire missiles and precision-guided bombs. Their versatility makes them valuable assets for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) missions, and targeted combat operations.

This purchase strengthens India’s surveillance capabilities along key borders and maritime zones, deepening defense cooperation with the U.S. amidst evolving regional security challenges. (Business Standard)

India has signed a $4 billion agreement with the United States to procure 31 Predator MQ-9B drones from American defense manufacturer General Atomics under the foreign military sales program. This acquisition aims to bolster the combat and surveillance capabilities of the Indian military, particularly along the nation’s contested borders with China. The signing ceremony, held in New Delhi, was attended by senior Indian defence and strategic officials, marking a significant milestone in Indo-US military cooperation. In addition to the purchase, the Defence Ministry and General Atomics Global India signed a contract for performance-based logistics, ensuring depot-level maintenance, repair, and overhaul services within India. Last week, the Cabinet Committee on Security, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the deal for the MQ-9B drones, following an earlier approval by the Ministry of Defence in June 2023 through a government-to-government arrangement. The agreement covers 15 Sea Guardian drones for the Indian Navy and 16 Sky Guardians for the Indian Army and Air Force. The Indian Army and Air Force are expected to station their drones at air bases in Sarsawa and Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, providing critical coverage across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh. The Indian Navy will deploy 15 drones to enhance maritime surveillance and reconnaissance in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). These drones are designed to support unmanned patrols, anti-submarine warfare, and over-the-horizon targeting operations, ensuring broader maritime security. With an endurance of over 36 hours and an operational altitude exceeding 40,000 feet, the Predator drones can be armed with Hellfire missiles and precision-guided bombs. Their versatility makes them valuable assets for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) missions, and targeted combat operations. This purchase strengthens India’s surveillance capabilities along key borders and maritime zones, deepening defense cooperation with the U.S. amidst evolving regional security challenges. (Business Standard)

Infrastructure Urban

06 Apr 2026

InsideFPV Delivers ₹10 Crore Kamikaze Drone Order Under MoD’s EPR Route

InsideFPV, a Surat-based drone technology manufacturer, has successfully executed a ₹10 crore defence contract to supply indigenous kamikaze drones under the Ministry of Defence’s Emergency Procurement Route (EPR). The company completed the delivery of hundreds of FPV kamikaze drone platforms within a rapid two-month timeframe, highlighting its ability to meet urgent military procurement timelines.The supply orders were fulfilled under the emergency procurement mechanism, which is aimed at fast-tracking acquisitions for immediate operational needs. InsideFPV’s quick execution reflects it..

Infrastructure Energy

06 Apr 2026

Vedanta Resources Secures Fitch Upgrade to ‘BB-’, Best Rating Since 2015

Vedanta Resources Limited (VRL), a global player in metals, oil & gas, critical minerals, power and technology, has received a credit rating upgrade from Fitch Ratings, marking its strongest bond rating in over a decade.Fitch has raised Vedanta Resources’ Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ‘BB-’ from ‘B+’, while maintaining a Stable Outlook. The agency also upgraded VRL’s senior unsecured rating, along with the ratings of US dollar-denominated bonds issued by Vedanta Resources Finance II Plc and guaranteed by VRL, to ‘BB-’.The upgrade represents Vedan..

Real Estate

06 Apr 2026

NAREDCO NextGen NCR Chapter Launched

The NAREDCO NextGen NCR Chapter was recently launched at Excelerate 2026 in Mumbai, marking a key step towards integrating emerging real estate leaders from the National Capital Region with the national platform. The initiative aims to promote sustainable and responsible urban development through collaboration and knowledge exchange.The event brought together young developers, entrepreneurs, and professionals from across NCR, including Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Bhiwadi, and Meerut. Discussions focused on urban development, finance, sustainability, innovation, and policy, emphasisi..