US drones

IN a major step forward for the India-US strategic partnership, the Joe Biden administration has notified the US Congress of its decision to sell 31 MQ-9B armed drones to India. The acquisition of these high-altitude, long-endurance UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) at an estimated cost of $3.99 billion is expected to make India better prepared to counter current and future threats by enabling unmanned surveillance and reconnaissance patrols in sea lanes. Under the proposed deal, the Indian Navy will get 15 SeaGuardian drones, while the Army and the Indian Air Force will get eight each of the SkyGuardian variety.

According to US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, the drones will enhance India’s maritime security and domain awareness capability. Even as the details of the deal and the delivery timeline will be worked out by the two governments in the coming months, Miller has asserted that America’s partnership with India is ‘one of our most consequential relationships’. The drone agreement reflects the maturity of the bilateral ties. Both sides have not allowed the dissonance caused by the Gurpatwant Singh Pannun case to undermine their strategic and defence cooperation. The probe into the allegations of an Indian hand in a plot to kill the designated terrorist has witnessed a steady exchange of inputs.

The importance of maritime security cannot be overstated, especially in view of the alarming resurgence of piracy and the targeting of ships in the Red Sea by militant groups. Indian warship INS Sumitra, assisted by a leased MQ-9B drone, recently carried out anti-piracy operations and rescued two hijacked fishing vessels along with their crew members. With the US Congress expected to give the go-ahead to the drone deal, the Indian defence forces are on course to augment their firepower and surveillance prowess.