The Cabinet Committee on Security CCS has finally approved major defence deals between India and the United States that is worth around Rs 80,000 crore. As per latest reports, India has cleared the major deals of nuclear submarines and Predator drones with the U.S. Although the deal had a deadline of October 31 as stated by the American proposal, India will be signing it way sooner than expected which is in a few days as the CCS has approved the deal. The acquisition of drones will be done under the Foreign Military sales contract with the US government.
India to acquire 31 MQ-9B Predator drones
A total of 31 MQ-9B Predator drones will be acquired and distributed in three parts, where 15 units will be handed over to the Indian Navy and 8 units each for the Indian Army and Indian Air force. The purpose of these drones is to enhance peacetime surveillance along with overall defence capabilities. The making of these drones may include Indian equipment developed by DRDO and the Solar Industries as a part of the “Make in India” initiative. After signing the deal for the drones, it will take around 4 years for them to be delivered. The army as well as the Air force will together deploy the drones at the two bases located in Uttar Pradesh.
Nuclear submarines to be built in Visakhapatnam
Meanwhile, two Nuclear-powered conventional Strike Submarines (SSNs) will be built indigenously for the Indian Navy in India. The project that will be built under the name ‘Project Advanced Technology Vessel’ initiative will see the involvement of private sector firms like Larsen and Toubro (L&T) and will be constructed at the Ship Building Centre in Visakhapatnam. It is estimated that the project will cost around Rs 45,000 crore.
This project deal had been getting delayed whereas the Indian Navy kept pushing it as it was a critical requirement for fulfilling underwater capability gaps. Hence, India plans to have six such boats under its submarine induction plans. The nuclear submarines will eventually boost the defence force capabilities of the nation in the Indian Ocean Region IOR as reported by ANI. Reports suggest that the Indian Navy will soon get these submarines added to its fleet.
As of now, India has nuclear powered ballistic missile submarines SSBNs and existing submarines include the INS Arihant, INS Arighat, and S4. The nuclear submarine project reflects India’s focus on indigenous defence manufacturing with enough involvement of domestic private companies.