The Biden administration is urging: place an order, Modi has not yet arrived at the Indian government | drone | place an order
Reuters reported on the 13th, citing sources familiar with the matter, that the Biden administration is urging the Indian government to make up its mind to purchase the US made MQ-9B "Sea Guard" drone in order to finalize the relevant transaction during the visit of Indian leaders to the United States.
According to a Reuters report, the Indian government has long expressed interest in purchasing large armed drones such as the "Sea Guard" from the United States, but has been hindered by "bureaucratic obstacles" and has not been able to finalize this arms deal, which can reach a total of $2 billion to $3 billion.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to arrive in the US capital Washington on the 22nd to meet with US President Joseph Biden at the White House. According to insiders, the Pentagon and the White House have requested the Indian government to "showcase" its progress in advancing drone trading, hoping to finalize the contract during Modi's visit to the United States.
According to reports, Jack Sullivan, the National Security Assistant to the President of the United States, arrived in New Delhi on the 13th to prepare for Modi's visit to the United States, and is expected to take the opportunity to mention this matter. According to previous reports, India initially planned to purchase 30 Sea Guardians, but later reduced it to 24 and changed it to 18 last month. The Indian Ministry of Defense has not yet confirmed the final number.
The Sea Guard is manufactured by General Atomics and is a widely used version of the Reaper drone by the US military in countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria. It has a range of over 30 hours and can perform reconnaissance, tracking, and combat missions.
At present, India collects maritime intelligence through leased "Sea Guard" drones and shares intelligence with members of the so-called "Four Party Mechanism" in the Indo Pacific region led by the United States, such as the United States, Australia, and Japan.
Reuters quoted sources as saying that Biden and Modi will also discuss the issue of cooperative production of ammunition and military vehicles. However, speakers from the White House, State Department, and Department of Defense all refused to respond to the relevant statements.