The Indian Navy is expected to move to the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) for the announcement of the $3 billion procurement of armed Predator drones from Washington during the India-US two plus two meet scheduled in December.
The aim of this procurement will be to strengthen India’s beyond horizon capabilities. As per officials in New Delhi and Washington, defence minister Rajnath Singh and foreign minister S Jaishankar will meet their American counterparts, secretary of state Antony Blinken and defence secretary Lloyd Austin, in December in Washington.
There is likelihood that during this meet, the two sides may announce the Predator deal. It is understood that the Indian Navy is all set to move DAC for Acceptance of Necessity (AON) for acquisition of 30 MQ 9A Predator drones from General Atomics with each of the three services getting 10 Hell-Fire missile firing drones.
