US approves $4 billion drone sale to India for maritime security needs

WASHINGTON – The Biden management on Thursday licensed a just about $4 billion sale of drones and army apparatus to India which might be supposed to be used to enhance its maritime protection and surveillance.

The approval comes at a time when Washington is courting New Delhi to building up its cooperation with the U.S. Indo-Pacific technique, which is in large part interested in countering China’s affect within the area.

The State Department notified Congress of the $3.99 billion sale that may come with 31 Sky Guardian drones, 170 Hellfire missiles, 310 small-diameter bombs and comparable make stronger subject matter.

“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to strengthen the U.S.-Indian strategic relationship and to improve the security of a major defense partner which continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia region,” the dep. mentioned in a commentary.

It “will enhance India’s capacity to meet present and long run threats via enabling unmanned surveillance and reconnaissance patrols in sea lanes of operation,” it mentioned, including that India “has demonstrated a commitment to modernizing its military and will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces.”