Washington: The US State Department expressed optimism about the proposed drone deal with India, emphasising its “significant potential” to advance strategic technology cooperation.

The deal was announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit last year, marking substantial growth in the US-India defence partnership over the past decade.

USA välisministeeriumi pressiesindaja Matthew Miller rõhutas tehingu tähtsust strateegilise tehnoloogiaalase koostöö edendamisel Indiaga ja sõjalise koostöö tõhustamisel piirkonnas.

While addressing the media, Miller said, “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.

Ta tunnistas ka kongressi üliolulist rolli relvade üleandmise protsessis, rõhutades enne ametlikku teatamist rutiinseid konsultatsioone kongressi liikmetega väliskomisjonide üle.

“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 also said.

Kavandatav droonitehing on osa laiematest jõupingutustest tugevdada kaitsesidemeid USA ja India vahel.

In June 2023, US President Joe Biden and PM Modi welcomed India’s plans to procure Predator drones made by General Atomics, a mega pact that will allow American Navy ships to undertake major repairs at Indian shipyards.

President Biden and PM Modi welcomed India’s plans to procure General Atomics MQ-9B HALE UAVs. The MQ-9Bs, assembled in India, will enhance the ISR capabilities of India’s armed forces across domains. As part of this plan, General Atomics will also establish a comprehensive global MRO facility in India, according to the US-India joint statement.

Leping tugevdaks India riiklikku julgeoleku- ja seiresuutlikkust, ulatudes väljapoole India ookeani ja hõlmates piiriala Hiinaga.

India shares vast maritime and land boundaries with two major adversaries–Pakistan and China–and requires constant monitoring of their activities to safeguard its national security interests.

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

Predators, mida nimetatakse ka MQ-9 Reaperiks, võivad lennata kuni 36 tundi järjest ja neid saab kasutada mis tahes konkreetse punkti või huvipiirkonna keskendunud jälgimiseks.

Koguni 31 Predatori drooni, mille India peagi USA-lt omandab, hakkaksid kolm teenust haldama ühiselt.

President Biden ja peaminister Modi tervitasid ka General Electricu ja Hindustan Aeronautics Limited vahelise vastastikuse mõistmise memorandumi allkirjastamist GE F-414 reaktiivmootorite tootmiseks Indias Hindustan Aeronautics Limited kerge lahingulennuki TEJAS MK-2 jaoks, lisati avaldus. .