Defence ministry nod for procurement of 31 MQ-9B armed drones from the US

{ KEY ADDITION TO ARSENAL} AHEAD OF MODI'S VISIT

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NEW DELHI: India's defence ministry on Thursday approved the acquisition of 31 MQ-9B armed drones from the US, with a formal announcement on the deal expected during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to Washington next week, people familiar with the matter said.

The clearance for procuring the drones made by General Atomics was given by a meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by defence minister Singh, the people said.

Rajnath India is expected to buy the drones, which have an endurance of more than 27 hours and can operate at up to 50,000 feet, in a deal worth a little more than $3 billion, the people said. Fifteen drones will be for the navy, and eight each for the army and the air force, they said.

The deal is expected to be announced when Modi meets US President Joe Biden at the White House on June 22, the people said.