India To Extend Lease, Buy Additional MQ-9B Armed Drones Worth $1.8 Billion When PM Modi Visits US

India is looking to increase the two-year lease of MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones in-service with the Indian Navy, ahead of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to United States.

According to a report, increase in the lease will cost the Indian Government more than Rs 800 crore.

The Indian Navy operates two MQ-9B Sea Guardian Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), which was leased from a US-based company, General Atomics in the wake of the clash at Galwan valley between Indian and Chinese soldiers, that left twenty Indian and reportedly 40-45 Chinese soldiers dead.

Some reports say that the Navy is highly impressed with the capabilities of the drone, so much so that the two MQ-9s completed 10,000 hours of flying in just two years.

Even the Indian Army utilized the drone's real-time imagery capabilities along the LAC when the Navy’s drones were deployed along the LAC to keep an eye on Chinese deployment.

India is also looking to procure 18 MQ-9B Predator-B armed UAVs from the US in a deal worth $1.8 billion, as well.

According to a report by Reuters, the US administration hopes to get the deal moving when the Prime Minister visits the United States.

Earlier, India planned to order 30 MQ-9 Predator-B drones, however, the numbers were trimmed down to 18 after a review by the Armed forces.

The MQ-9A is a turboprop-powered, multi-mission RPA developed and first flown by General Atomics in 2001. It offers unmatched operational flexibility with a 27-hour endurance and speeds of 240 Knots True Airspeed (KTAS).

Additionally, it has the ability to operate at altitudes up to 50,000 feet. It has a payload capacity of 3,850 pounds, including 3,000 pounds of external stores.