Eye on China, US ‘welcomes’ progress on $3.9bn predator drones deal

India’s impending $3.9 billion purchase of 31 MQ-9B Predator drones from the US aims to boost its intelligence and surveillance capabilities. This acquisition is part of a larger defence partnership focusing on military interoperability and defence-industrial collaboration. The deal is expected to be finalized in mid-October after concluding techno-commercial negotiations.