India To Purchase 30 US Armed Drones Worth $3 Billion

India is likely to sign $3-billion deal to purchase 30 armed drones 'MQ-9B Predator' from the US in April 2021, as per the officials. The deal aims to strengthen India's military presence in sea and at land amid rising tensions with China and Pakistan. Capable of carrying a payload of about 1,700 kilograms, the MQ-9B Predator drones can remain in air for up to 48 hours. As of now, India has only surveillance-bound drones.