ndia may opt for indigenous drones after putting American Predator deal on hold

Months after putting the American Predator UAV deal on hold, India is planning to buy indigenously developed combat drones for surveillance.

Months after putting the American Predator UAV deal on hold, India is planning to buy indigenously developed combat drones.

India is planning to buy an indigenously developed combat drone after the deal with America for Predator drones was put on hold to boost the ‘Make in India’ scheme.

The tri-services deal for 30 American drones was put on hold in January-February this year after a blanket order for putting all import deals on hold was issued by the Narendra Modi government.

“The Indian drone being developed with an Israeli firm is now under active consideration as the American deal has been stalled after it was asked to be reviewed by a committee of the Integrated Defence Staff,” government sources told India Today.

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In view of the indigenous capability development, a high-level committee has been formed to decide on the number of drones that the three forces would want to buy now, as long as Terri requirements are met by the India-made drones being developed indigenously.

The committee is headed by a Lieutenant General-rank officer posted under the Department of Military Affairs, they said. Three services' headquarters wanted to acquire drones for surveillance and kill options, both in uncontested air space. The drones will come armed with advanced systems and weapons packages and enable long-range surveillance and precision strikes.