INDIAN NAVY INDUCTS TWO AMERICAN PREDATOR DRONES ON LEASE

INDIAN NAVY INDUCTS TWO AMERICAN PREDATOR DRONES ON LEASE

Context

Indian Navy has inducted two Predator drones from an American firm on lease.

Details

• It will carry out surveillance in the Indian Ocean Region and can also be deployed along the Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh.
• It has been inducted by the Navy under the emergency procurement powers granted by the Defence Ministry in view of the India-China border conflict.
• The drones arrived in India in the second week of November and were inducted into flying operations on November 21 at Indian Navy base at INS Rajali.
• The drones are flying in Indian colours and would be on lease with India for one year even as the three services are preparing the case for acquiring 18 more such drones from the US.
• As per the lease agreement, the American support staff will only assist with maintenance and technical issues. This means that sortie planning and joystick control will rest with Indian Navy personnel.
• Data gathered during the flights by the Predator drones will also be the exclusive property of the Indian Navy.
• The option of leasing weapon systems has been provisioned under the Defence Acquisition Procedure-2020 and the Defence Procurement Manual -2009 and helps in saving funds and the responsibility of maintenance also lies with the vendor.