AS menyetujui penjualan 31 drone bersenjata 31 MQ-9B ke India seharga $4 miliar untuk meningkatkan keamanan maritimnya. Kesepakatan ini akan memberi India drone bersenjata 16 kali lebih banyak dibandingkan armadanya saat ini dan meningkatkan kemampuan pengawasannya. AS memandang India sebagai mitra utama dan menghargai kolaborasi mereka dalam berbagai prioritas.
Terming its partnership with India as among the most consequential ones, the US has said the proposed sale of 31 armed drones to New Delhi at an estimated cost of nearly USD 4 billion will ensure enhanced maritime security for the country. The US on Thursday approved the sale of 31 MQ-9B armed drones to India at an estimated cost of USD 3.99 billion, an acquisition that will bolster India’s capability to meet current and future threats by enabling unmanned surveillance and reconnaissance patrols in sea lanes of operation.
“I would say that our partnership with India is one of our most consequential relationships. We work closely with India on our most vital priorities,” State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters at his daily news conference.
In response to a question on the next steps in the mega drone deal and its importance, Miller said: “I cannot give you a timeline. This was the initial step today, notifying Congress. The exact timeline of the delivery is something that we will explore with the Government of India over the coming months.”
Under the deal, India will get 31 High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) UAVs, of which the Navy will get 15 SeaGuardian drones, while the Army and the Indian Air Force will get eight each of the land version – SkyGuardian.
“I will say with respect to the deal itself, the USD 3.99 – almost 4 – billion sale of 31 MQ-9B SkyGuardian aircraft will provide India with an enhanced maritime security and maritime domain awareness capability,” he said.
Ini menawarkan kepemilikan langsung kepada India dan peningkatan jumlah pesawat sebesar 16 kali lipat, dibandingkan dengan sewa dua pesawat MQ-9A saat ini, tambahnya.
On a question on outgoing Indian Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu’s tenure, Miller said: “We have had a close working relationship with the (outgoing Indian) ambassador (Taranjit Singh Sandhu).”
Ia mengatakan AS telah mampu bekerja sama dengannya dalam sejumlah prioritas bersama, termasuk peran penting yang dimainkan India dalam memastikan Indo-Pasifik bebas dan terbuka, saling terhubung, sejahtera, aman, dan tangguh, kata Miller.
Sandhu, 61, pensiun dari dinas luar negeri setelah 35 tahun berkarir di bidang diplomatik bulan ini.
“We wish him well in his future endeavours and look forward to welcoming his replacement,” he said.
Menanggapi pertanyaan lain, Miller mengatakan Menteri Luar Negeri Antony Blinken memiliki hubungan kerja yang erat dengan timpalannya dari India S Jaishankar, di mana mereka dapat terlibat dalam beberapa prioritas yang paling mendesak dan penting.
“Obviously, the secretary has travelled to India to meet with the foreign minister on a number of occasions. He’s welcomed him here. He’s met with him in New York on the margins of the UN General Assembly,” Miller said.