Procurement of 31 MQ-9B drones and indigenous construction of two nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs) will enhance India's military prowess.
About MQ-9B Drones
- Description: High Altitude Long Endurance Unmanned Aerial vehicles designed for surveillance, reconnaissance, and precision strike missions.
- Features: Fly over horizon via satellite for upto 40 hours; hit targets on land, at sea, and in air.
- Two variants: SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian (maritime variant).
- Deal includes 16 Sky Guardian and 15 Sea Guardian variants (eight each for Indian Army and Air Force).
- Significance of deal
- Boosts India's surveillance and intelligence for monitoring sensitive areas like Line of Actual Control with China.
- Part of broader defence modernization strategy aimed at enhancing India’s military posture in Indo-Pacific region, further improves operational readiness with advanced technologies.
- Deepens defense partnership between India- U.S.
About SSNs
- Description: Designed for anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship operations, and intelligence gathering.
- Features:
- Armed with torpedoes and sometimes cruise missiles but do not carry ballistic missiles.
- Faster, quieter, difficult to detect and can remain underwater for long periods of time.
- Significance of deal
- Strengthens India’s deterrence and operational capabilities, boosting underwater combat effectiveness.
- Bolster indigenous defence manufacturing under Make in India initiative