However, the final nod to the acquiring would be taken by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). Notably this development comes just ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s visit to the United States.
According to the proposal, the navy will get 14 of these combat platforms while the army and air force will receive eight each.
The Indian Navy currently operates two unarmed versions of the Sea Guardian drones that have been taken on lease from General Atomics. India will also seek an extension of the lease.
“The deal for the Predator drones was given approval by the Defence Acquisition Council meeting today. The acquisition proposal will now have to follow a procedure after which it will have to be cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security,”
news agency ANI cited officials aware of the development in the defence ministry.
The DAC is the highest body in the Defence Ministry to take decisions on acquisitions. All high value acquisitions are given final approval by the CCS.
The Indian Navy is the lead agency for the deal in which 15 drones will be going to the maritime force for surveillance operations in its area of responsibility.
“This is a capability that Indian armed forces need very badly. It is something that is a very pragmatic decision that our Govt is pursuing…”
Vice Admiral SN Ghormade (Retd), former Indian Navy Vice Chief said on Defence Ministry’s approval of Predator drone deal with US.
It was in 2018 that the US had offered India the armed version of the Guardian drones, which were originally authourised for sale as unarmed and for surveillance.
India was earlier eyeing both the unarmed Sea Guardian drones for the Navy and the armed Predator B for attack options, but many within the defence and security establishment felt that both operations can be done by one type only.
This was because of the prohibitive price involving American drones. The Navy had initially planned for 22 Sea Guardians which were priced at over $2 billion, but then brought down the number to just 12.
However, since all the three services wanted weaponised drones, a decision was taken to jointly pursue the deal.