**India to negotiate acquisition of MQ9B HALE drones from the United States**
– India is set to negotiate with the United States on the acquisition of MQ9B HALE drones, with New Delhi seeking a competitive deal through a foreign military sale process.
– The defence ministry has accorded the Acceptance of Necessity to acquire 31 MQ9B HALE drones, but no serious negotiations have begun yet.
– The United States is currently the only country with these drones, and China has been unsuccessful in acquiring them.
– Once procured, these drones will provide India with new capabilities, causing concern for the country’s adversaries who may try to hinder the acquisition process.
– The next step in the process involves submitting a Letter of Request to the Biden administration and obtaining the Letter of Offer and Acceptance from the US government, which requires approval from the US Congress.
– The Contract Negotiation Committee will then finalize the terms of the agreement before it goes for approval by the Cabinet Committee for Security.
– US defence firm General Atomic has offered India 31 MQ9B drones at a price of $3.072 billion, subject to negotiations and some drones will be manufactured in India.
– The requirement of 31 drones for the three Services is based on a scientific study of India’s needs and requirements, recommended by Integrated Defence Services.
– The procurement will involve some transfer of technology, with New Delhi seeking a minimum of 15-20% ToT.
– The acquisition is not against India’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, as the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) is developing its own drone in the MALE category called Tapas.
– The Indian Navy is already collaborating with ADE and DRDO on TAPAS, and the technology has potential applications in civilian use as well.
– This acquisition will help establish India as a manufacturing hub for drones.
Source: Hindustan Times
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