The Indian armed forces are seeking 18 armed Predator MQ 9A drones from the US, and electronic and spatial intelligence organisation NTRO will soon acquire eight Indian-manufactured medium altitude long endurance (MALE) drones for border surveillance and reconnaissance, according to people aware of the matter.
While Indian Navy already has two General Atomics-manufactured Sea Guardian (MQ 9B) drones for maritime domain awareness on lease from the US, the acquisition of 18 armed drones on a government-to-government basis — with each of the three services getting six drones — will be put up before the Modi government at the Combined Commanders Conference at Karwar Naval Base in April, the people said. The conference, which will be addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was shifted from March to April due to logistical requirements.
