Delhi: India is currently advancing its plans to obtain 31 MQ 9B remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) from the United States. India will soon be dispatching a letter of request (LoR) as an initial step in initiating procurement through the foreign military sales (FMS) program. The LoR will elaborate on the requirements of Indias armed forces. Projected estimates indicate that this deal would amount to over ₹25,000 crore ($3.07 billion).
The acceptance of necessity (AoN) for the purchase of the MQ-9B drones was granted by India’s defence acquisitions council (DAC) on June 15. This important milestone paved the way for the acquisition of these high-altitude long endurance (HALE) drones from General Atomics.
Once the United States receives the LoR, they will respond with a letter of offer and acceptance (LoA) after undergoing formal congressional notification. India will then enter into negotiations with the US, evaluating the price and terms offered, before finalizing the deal through the contract negotiation committee. The approval of the cabinet committee on security, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will be sought before the agreement is finalized.
India will substantially reinforce its military capabilities. Endowing the armed forces with crucial resources for intelligence gathering, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations.