The Indian government has denied reports claiming it has started the process for purchasing 22 long-range Predator B Guardian surveillance drone under a government-to-government deal with the US.
"[The] Government has not requested for 22 unarmed high-tech multi-mission Predator Guardian drones for maritime surveillance of the Indian ocean," says Subhash Bhamre, India's Minister of State for Defense in a response to a question asked in the Upper House of the Indian Parliament.
Indian media had reported that Indian Navy had sent Letters of Request (LoRs) to the Pentagon under government-to-government deals. According to the reports, the Navy had asked for price and availability of 22 long-range naval surveillance drones Predator B Guardians and that this request was being considered by the Pentagon for clearance under the Foreign Military Sales route. General Atomics, manufacturer of Predator, claims that it can operate at height of 50,000 feet and fly for 27 hours before returning to its base.
Last fortnight, in a precursor visit to the US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter's arrival in India, Vice-Admiral Joseph Rixey Director of US Defense Security Cooperation Agency, met his counterpart here to discuss the purchase plan of the 22 drones, sources said but nothing was finalised had been substantiated in the meeting.
