India Scraps $3B Deal To Acquire Predator Drones From The US; Will Focus On Indigenous UAVs

India has temporarily suspended plans to acquire lethal Predator armed drones from the US. India is willing to focus on local development of armed drones, instead of the exorbitant costs that may have sunk the agreement.

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Predator Drone Deal

According to Hindustan Times, a top South Block official who requested anonymity said, "As of now, the Predator deal is off."

PM Narendra Modi visited General Atomics Chief Executive Officer Vivek Lall on September 23, 2021.

“Drones are an upcoming sector in India and it is of particular interest to the youth. Interacted with Mr. Vivek Lall of General Atomics Global Corporation and spoke about how India is ushering a paradigm shift in drones policy, seen in our PLI (Production-Linked Incentive) scheme and reform measures,” Modi tweeted after the meeting.

According to Lall, US businesses see India as a really attractive investment opportunity. “There are a lot of potential areas of collaboration that we are in discussions...

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