MQ-9B drone purchase from US: Center rejects claims of expensive deal

New Delhi: The Defense Ministry has said that India has not yet finalized the cost and specific terms of procuring 31 MQ-9B long-range drones from the US and it will be communicated by the manufacturer to other countries before the finalization of the purchase. Will check the “best price” going. said on Sunday, dismissing reports on the acquisition process along with the price in a section of social media. It added that the Acceptance of Requirement (AoN) given by the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) for the purchase mentioned an estimated cost of USD 3,072 million (one million = 10 lakh) provided by the US government, And the price will be negotiated once. Policy approval has been received from Washington.

The DAC, headed by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, on June 15 gave AoN or preliminary approval for the acquisition of 31 MQ-9B High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) drones from the US under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route. The AON consisted of the number of unmanned aerial vehicles to be procured along with associated equipment. India and the US sealed the drone deal during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s high-profile visit to Washington.

In a statement, the Defense Ministry termed as “speculative” reports in social media on the price and terms of purchase related to the drones and said they were being spread with “ulterior motives”. It added, “These are unnecessary, have ulterior motives and are aimed at derailing the due acquisition process. The purchase price and other terms and conditions are yet to be finalized and are subject to negotiation.”

It added, “In this regard, all are requested not to spread fake news/misinformation, which can have a serious impact on the morale of the Armed Forces and adversely affect the acquisition process.” Sea Guardian drones are being procured for all three services as they can perform various roles including maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare and over-the-horizon targeting.

While the Navy will get 15 Sea Guardian drones, the Indian Air Force and the Army will get eight Sky Guardian drones each. The ministry said it will compare the acquisition cost of the drones with the “best price” offered by manufacturer General Atomics (GA) to other countries and the procurement process will be carried out as per the prescribed procedure.

“AON has mentioned an estimated cost of US$3,072 million as provided by the US government. However, the price will be negotiated after getting the policy approval from the US government.” It added, “The Ministry of Defense (MoD) will compare the acquisition cost with the best price offered by General Atomics (GA) to other countries. The procurement is in progress and will be completed as per the prescribed procedure.”

The ministry said that under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route, a Letter of Request (LoR) would be sent to the US government containing tri-services requirements, details of equipment and terms of procurement. “Based on the LoR, the US government and the Ministry of Defense will finalize the Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA), where details of equipment and procurement terms will be negotiated and finalized as per the FMS program and the proposed price and terms. US Government and GA for other countries,” it said.

The High Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) drones are capable of staying in the air for more than 35 hours and can carry four Hellfire missiles and about 450 kg of warhead. In 2020, the Indian Navy leased two MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones from General Atomics for a period of one year for surveillance in the Indian Ocean. Later the lease period was extended.