The US State Department expressed optimism concerning the proposed drone take care of India, emphasising its “significant potential” to advance strategic know-how cooperation.

The deal was introduced throughout Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s go to final yr, marking substantial development within the US-India defence partnership over the previous decade.

Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the US State Department, highlighted the significance of the deal in furthering strategic know-how cooperation with India and enhancing army collaboration within the area.

While addressing the media, Miller mentioned, “So I’ll say that generally, the US-India Defence Partnership has seen significant growth over the past decade. This is a proposed sale that was announced during Prime Minister Modi’s visit last year.”

“We believe it offers significant potential to further advance strategic technology cooperation with India and military cooperation in the region,” he added.

He additionally acknowledged the essential function of Congress within the arms switch course of, emphasising routine consultations with members of Congress on international affairs committees earlier than formal notifications.

“Of course, Congress plays an important role in the US arms transfer process. We routinely consult with members of Congress on the foreign affairs committees before our formal notification so we can address questions that they might have. But I don’t have any comment on when that formal notification might take place,” Miller additionally mentioned.

The proposed drone deal is a part of the broader efforts to strengthen defence ties between the United States and India. In June 2023, US President Joe Biden and PM Modi welcomed India’s plans to obtain Predator drones made by General Atomics, a mega pact that may enable American Navy ships to undertake main repairs at Indian shipyards.

President Biden and PM Modi welcomed India’s plans to obtain General Atomics MQ-9B HALE UAVs. The MQ-9Bs, assembled in India, will improve the ISR capabilities of India’s armed forces throughout domains. As a part of this plan, General Atomics may even set up a complete world MRO facility in India, in line with the US-India joint assertion.

The settlement would strengthen India’s nationwide safety and surveillance capabilities, extending past the Indian Ocean and encompassing the border area with China.

India shares huge maritime and land boundaries with two main adversaries–Pakistan and China–and requires fixed monitoring of their actions to safeguard its nationwide safety pursuits.

The Quad grouping of nations – the United States, India, Australia and Japan – all function, or have operated, the MQ-9B SeaGuardian. Currently, India is leasing MQ-9Bs as a part of an intelligence-gathering operation.

The Predators, additionally known as the MQ-9 Reaper, can fly as much as 36 hours at a stretch and can be utilized for centered monitoring of any particular level or space of curiosity.

As many as 31 Predator drones, to be acquired by India from the US quickly, can be operated by the tri-services collectively.

President Biden and Prime Minister Modi additionally hailed the landmark signing of an MoU between General Electric and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the manufacture of GE F-414 jet engines in India, for the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited Light Combat Aircraft Mk 2, added the assertion.