WASHINGTON: The United States on Thursday approved a $4 billion sale of state-of-the-art drones to India, marking a new boost for the US partner.
The sale marks a milestone in India’s purchases of US arms after New Delhi’s historic reliance on arms from Russia, which has become increasingly controversial due to sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine.
Indian officials discussed drones during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit last year at the invitation of President Joe Biden.
After months of discussion, the State Department said it notified Congress of the sale, which includes 31 MQ-9B Sky Guardians, the most advanced of its Predator drones made by General Atomics.
Sea Guardians can monitor both the sea and submarines and can stay airborne for 35 hours at a time firing Hellfire missiles and carrying around 1,000 pounds (450 kilograms) of bombs.
The sale still needs approval by the US Congress, where most lawmakers favour strong ties with India, but several members, particularly on the left of Biden’s Democratic Party, have criticized Modi’s human rights record. —APP
