The U.S. Congress was on February 1 formally notified of the possible sale of 31 MQ-9B high altitude long endurance armed Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) to India estimated to cost $3.99 billion. The development comes amid reports of a hold over the deal by the U.S. Congress over the Pannun episode and concerns over India’s “high-level” enquiry into the incident.
“The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of India of MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $3.99 billion. The Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today,” the DSCA said in a release.
Detailing the process in response to a quest, a U.S. Embassy Spokesperson said, “Congress now has 30 days to review the proposed sale. Upon conclusion of their review, India and the United States may conclude the sale with a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LoA).”
As the UAVs would be armed, the deal also includes 170 AGM-114R Hellfire missiles; 16 M36E9 Hellfire captive air training missiles; 310 GBU-39B/B laser Small Diameter Bombs (SDB); and 08 GBU-39B/B LSDB guided test vehicles with live fuzes among others.
Explained | The India-U.S. deal for 31 MQ-9B drones
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to strengthen the U.S.-Indian strategic relationship and to improve the security of a major defence partner which continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia region,” the notification stated.
It also noted that India typically requests offsets and any offset agreement will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and the contractor, General Atomics. As part of the deal, General Atomics is scheduled to establish a Global Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in India which would count towards offset obligations.
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) had accorded the accorded the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the procurement of 31 MQ-9B UAVs from General Atomics, 15 Sea Guardians for the Indian Navy, and 16 Sky Guardians – eight each for the Indian Army and Air Force, on June 15, 2023 and the MoD had stated that the AoN noted the estimated cost of U.S. $3,072 million provided by the U.S. Government. Following this, just ahead of the talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the G20 summit, MoD issued the Letter of Request to the U.S. Government.
Defence officials had stated earlier that the deal could be concluded this year and deliveries begin three years from the signing of the contract. Earlier, officials on both sides had expressed confidence that the Congressional approval is a formality.
The MQ-9B, which will significantly boost the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities of the Indian armed forces and will also work in tandem with the US-origin P-8I long range maritime patrol aircraft significantly enhancing the Indian Navy’s surveillance over the Indian Ocean Region.
