Gli Stati Uniti hanno approvato la vendita di 31 droni armati MQ-31B all’India per 9 miliardi di dollari per rafforzare la sua sicurezza marittima. Questo accordo fornirà all’India un numero di droni armati 4 volte superiore rispetto alla sua attuale flotta e migliorerà le sue capacità di sorveglianza. Gli Stati Uniti vedono l’India come un partner chiave e apprezzano la loro collaborazione su varie priorità.
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.
Offre all'India la proprietà diretta e un aumento di 16 volte del numero di aerei, rispetto all'attuale contratto di locazione di due aerei MQ-9A, ha aggiunto.
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).”
Ha affermato che gli Stati Uniti sono stati in grado di lavorare con lui su una serie di priorità condivise, incluso il ruolo cruciale che l’India svolge nel garantire un Indo-Pacifico libero e aperto che sia connesso, prospero, sicuro e resiliente, ha affermato Miller.
Sandhu, 61 anni, si ritira questo mese dal servizio estero dopo 35 anni di carriera diplomatica.
“We wish him well in his future endeavours and look forward to welcoming his replacement,” he said.
In risposta ad un'altra domanda, Miller ha detto che il Segretario di Stato Antony Blinken ha uno stretto rapporto di lavoro con il suo omologo indiano S Jaishankar, dove sono in grado di impegnarsi su alcune delle priorità più urgenti e importanti.
“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.