New Delhi: To enhance the surveillance capability of the three armies, an agreement will be signed on Tuesday to buy 31 Predator drones from the US at a cost of Rs 32,000 crore and set up a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) center for them in India. The Cabinet Committee on Security had approved the purchase of 31 Predator drones last week.

Out of the total 31 drones, 15 will be given to the Navy and eight each to the Army and the Air Force. Defence officials said that the Foreign Military Sales contract with the US will be signed on Tuesday. The US team of military and corporate officials is in the capital to sign these contracts.

The discussion was going on for many years

He said Indian defence officials, including the joint secretary and the procurement manager for naval systems, will be present at the signing ceremony. India has been in discussions with the US for this deal for many years but the final hurdles were cleared in a Defence Acquisition Council meeting a few weeks ago as it had to be approved before October 31, as the US offer is valid till that date.

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India will likely deploy the drones at four locations, including INS Rajali near Chennai, Porbandar in Gujarat, Sarsawa and Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh.

Predator drone has wreaked havoc on Al Qaeda

Predator is a very deadly drone. It is capable of monitoring an area up to 1900 km. It can fly at a speed of 480 km per hour. India is going to buy the most modern version. The US Army used Predator drones a lot in Afghanistan. These drones caused a lot of destruction in many unmanned missions against Al Qaeda. America also used this drone in search of Laden. Al Qaeda leader Al Zawahiri was also killed in the attack of this drone.

Key features of Predator Drone

• The Predator drone can carry a load of up to 2100 kg.
• This drone can fly continuously for about 35 hours.
• The Predator drone is capable of attacking from air, land and sea in any weather.
• Drones can be used for attack and intelligence surveillance.
• This drone is also capable of firing missiles. It has the facility of automatic take off and landing.
• It is capable of flying up to a height of more than 50 thousand feet.