The US State Department has approved a potential Foreign Military Sale (FMS) of MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft to the Indian government.
The estimated $3.99 billion contract comprises the sale of MQ-9B drones and associated equipment. Congress was notified of this potential transaction by the certification that was issued by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency.
The Indian government has put forward a request to purchase 35 L3 Rio Grande Communications Intelligence Sensor Suites, 161 Embedded Global Positioning & Inertial Navigation Systems (EGIs), and 31 MQ-9B Sky Guardian aircraft.
In addition, 310 GBU-39B/B Laser Small Diameter Bombs (LSDB), 16 M36E9 Hellfire Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM), 170 AGM-114R Hellfire missiles, and 8 GBU-39B/B LSDB Guided Test Vehicles (GTVs) with live fuzes are all part of the FMS.
Additionally included are KIV-77 cryptographic appliques and other Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) equipment, M299 Hellfire missile launchers, TPE-331-10-GD engines, Certifiable Ground Control Stations, and KOR-24A Small Tactical Terminals.
In addition, the nation decided to purchase additional equipment, including equipment for testing and integration, secure communications, cryptography, repair and return support, and munitions support and support.
Additionally, contractor engineering, technical, and logistical support services will be supplied by the US government.
The proposed sale is anticipated to facilitate unmanned surveillance and reconnaissance patrols across operational maritime lanes, hence enhancing India’s capacity to counter present and emerging threats.
Poway, California-based General Atomics Aeronautical Systems will serve as the prime contractor.
