MQ-9B Drones Bought From US, To Be Assembled In India, Defence Minister Confirms

The MQ-9B Guardian drones being bought from the United States will be assembled in India, the Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has confirmed.

In a Tweet, the Defence Minister said that, "To increase the friendship between India and America, there has also been an agreement to buy MQ-9B drones, which will be assembled in India only. Their MRO will also be done in India".

On 15 June, just a week before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'state' visit to the US, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has approved a deal to buy 31 MQ-9B drones from the US.

As part of the deal, 15 MQ-9B Sea Guardians will be for the Navy, and eight MQ-9B Sky Guardian each for the Army and the Air Force.

He also confirmed that the drones' Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) will also be done in India.

Earlier, in February 2023, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has signed a deal with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) to establish an MRO facility in India.

HAL will also manufacture and provide MRO support for the TPE 331-5 engines that power the MQ-9Bs in India.

Apart from HAL, GA-ASI has also signed an agreement with Bharat Forge, to manufacture several components of MQ-9Bs, including assemblies and sub-assemblies, in India.

The Indian Ministry of Defence, according to a report by ET, is also negotiating with General Atomics to increase the Made-in-India content of the deal from the earlier 8 to 9 per cent to 15 to 20 per cent.

The drones will also likely be integrated with Indian made bombs and missiles, as well.