The U.S. government estimates that a foreign military sale of 31 MQ-9B unmanned aerial vehicles and associated equipment to India would cost $3.07 billion.
The Indian defense ministry on Sunday disclosed the estimated cost, saying the agency plans to compare the amount with the “best price” manufacturer General Atomics offered to other foreign buyers and enter into negotiations once a U.S. policy approval is secured.
A joint U.S.-India statement noted the company would establish a global maintenance, repair and operations facility for the high-altitude, long-endurance UAV platform to support the South Asian country’s indigenous defense capability goals.
According to the ministry, the Indian defense procurement organization approved an “acceptance of necessity” for the procurement of 16 MQ-9B SkyGuardian systems and 15 SeaGuardian units.
