Defence Ministry approves MQ-9 Reaper drone deal with United States.

Amid preparations for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US, the Defence Ministry on Thursday (15th June 2023) approved the deal for acquiring the Predator (MQ-9 Reaper) drones from America for which the final decision would be taken by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS).

* The deal for the Predator drones was given approval by the Defence Acquisition Council meeting 15th June 2023.

* The acquisition proposal will now have to follow a procedure after which it will have to be cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security," defence sources told here.

* The DAC is the highest body in the Defence Ministry to take decisions on acquisitions. All high value acquisitions are given final approval by the CCS.

* The Indian Navy is the lead agency for the deal in which 15 drones will be going to the maritime force for surveillance operations in its area of responsibility.

* The three services also have plans of going in for same type of medium altitude and long endurance drones from indigenous sources..

Source : Economic Times