New Delhi, May 23: The United States (US) is likely to sell armed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) to India. The legislative process to take forward this sale is underway. India has shown its keen interest in procuring UAV, the move that will boost the capability of Indian armed forces to target terrorist camps and launchpads across the border.

A diplomatic source told The Hindu, “A waiver is required to enable the sale of armed UAVs to India and the legislative process is underway. It is likely to be the big outcome of the India-U.S. two-plus-two dialogue to be held in July in Washington.” After acquiring these armed UAV’s, India would be amongst the few countries to procure high-end US technology.

India-US ‘two plus two’ dialogue, which got postponed, is likely to take place on July 6. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will represent the Indian side while from the US. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Defence Jim Mattis will take part. This deal would bolster Indo-US defence ties. After this deal, the US may confer the Major Defence Partner (MDP) status conferred on India.

Earlier the US had approved the sale of 22 Guardian unarmed long-range maritime reconnaissance UAVs for the Indian Navy. The Guardian is the maritime variant of the Predator MQ-9 UAV. It has a maximum endurance of 40 hours and a maximum flying altitude of 40,000 ft.

According to the report, the waiver would enable India to go for the armed UAVs instead. However, the number of UAVs is expected to be slightly lesser, around 17. President Donald Trump administration has recently approved a policy change to simplify the export of drones to allies.

 

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 23, 2018 04:22 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).