India on Tuesday finalized a deal with the US State Department to acquire 31 MQ-9B SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) drones, as confirmed by the Indian Defense Ministry.
The purchase, first discussed in 2018, is expected to significantly strengthen India’s surveillance and intelligence capabilities.
The deal aligns with US strategic interests in reducing India’s dependence on Russian military equipment and countering China’s influence in the region.
Approval for the acquisition was granted by India’s top defense body last year, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official visit to Washington, with the Pentagon giving the go-ahead in February. According to a Reuters report, these drones will primarily support Indian Navy operations in the Indian Ocean region.
The acquisition is seen as crucial as India faces advanced air defense challenges from its neighbors China and Pakistan, which are restricting the use of drones along its land borders.