Page 5 - Predator Drones News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

The Indian Navy has utilized Predator drones to conduct over 13,000 hours of missions in the Indian Ocean Region. The drones, leased from American firm General Atomics, have the capability to cover the entire region in one go, with a range of 4,000-8,000 km and a flight time of over 30 hours. The Navy plans to acquire 15 more advanced drones equipped with weapons and detection kits under a tri-services deal with the US. The drones have been effective in monitoring the movement of Chinese warships and vessels in Indian areas of interest.

After the decision to buy 31 Predator drones from US, India is now moving towards acquiring 97 highly capable drones under the 'Make-in-India' project. 

Get latest articles and stories on India at LatestLY. "A scientific study was carried out by the defence forces jointly and it has been decided that to meet the Medium Altitude Long Endurance requirements, Indian forces would require 97 such drones for keeping an eye on both land and sea," government sources told ANI. India To Acquire 97 ‘Made-in-India’ Drones for Over Rs 10,000 Crore To Keep an Eye on China, Pakistan Borders.

A technologically enabled Indian strategic-military enterprise will be a catalyst in the great power competition involving China and is therefore in the American national interest. Without committing to operational collaboration of any sort, India needs to keep options open

After major deals with US, India is all set to seal another defence deal with France. Prime Minister's US state visit saw two major defence deals, the coproduction of the GE 414 fighter jet engines and the acquisition of MQ9B drones., India News, Times Now