US State Department Greenlights $4 Billion Drone Deal with India

• 03 Feb 2024

On 1^st February, 2024, the US State Department gave its approval for the potential sale of 31 armed drones, missiles, and assorted equipment to India, totaling nearly $4 billion.

Key Points

• Key Deal Components: The agreement includes 31 MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones, 170 AGM-114R Hellfire missiles, 310 laser small diameter bombs, communication and surveillance equipment, and a precision glide bomb.
• Contractor Details: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems will serve as the principal contractor for the deal.
• Senate Investigation: The deal faced a temporary hold by a Senate committee in December, linked to an alleged Indian assassination plot on US soil. Senator Ben Cardin lifted the hold after the US government committed to a thorough investigation of the plot.
• Pentagon's Statement: The Pentagon stated that the proposed drone deal with India would support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States, contributing to strengthening the US-Indian strategic relationship.