The United States Grants Approval for a $4 Billion Transaction Enabling the Sale of Weaponized Drones to India.

The potential sale of 31 armed drones, missiles, and additional equipment to India for an approximate value of $4 billion has received approval from the US State Department. This approval follows the initial announcement of the MQ-9B Predator drones deal during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US in June 2023. However, the deal faced a setback in December when a Senate committee postponed it pending an investigation into an alleged Indian plot to assassinate someone on US soil.

The deal, now poised for confirmation after obtaining approval from the US Congress, encompasses the sale of 31 armed MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones, 170 AGM-114R Hellfire missiles, 310 laser small diameter bombs, as well as communication and surveillance equipment. Additionally, a precision glide bomb is included in the agreement, with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems set to be the primary contractor.

Senator Ben Cardin, who had previously placed a “hold” on the deal pending investigation, revealed that he lifted the hold after the US government committed to a thorough inquiry into the alleged assassination plot. Senator Cardin emphasized that the Biden administration insisted on accountability for the plot both in the US and within India.

Last year, the US accused Delhi of conspiring to assassinate an American citizen advocating for Khalistan, an independent Sikh state. In response, a spokesperson for the Indian government stated that the US had been informed of their expectation for accountability, and India denied any involvement in the alleged murder plot. Furthermore, India’s foreign ministry formed a high-level inquiry committee to investigate the accusation and address the security concerns raised by the US.

The Pentagon, announcing the potential drone deal with India, highlighted its alignment with the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States, emphasizing its role in strengthening the strategic relationship between the US and India.