The fee varies for different deals, but will be the same for every country that buys the same system from the US. (India has just become the 35th Member of NTCR).Notably, FMS deals require government-to-government (g-to-g) negotiations but with active support from the industry which manufactures every system in the US. It fires missiles to neutralize multiple hostile targets with precision with the flick of a command sent through satellites.As the procedural paperwork for this drone could also begin only after the MTCR clearance, the Indian Ministry of Defence (MOD) should clear the proposal in due course. The process ensures reasonable pricing, largely in accordance with what the US armed forces would pay for similar systems.The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) of the Department of Defense (DOD) however charges a fee within a band of 2.5 to 5 percent to facilitate the process.For instance, in the case of Boeing C 17 heavy lift transport aircraft, this was fixed at 3.8 percent. NEW DELHI: The Indian Navy has initiated the first steps towards acquiring the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) for carriers as well as the long-range Predator B Guardian surveillance drone by sending Letters of Request (LoRs) to the Pentagon under government-to-government deals.According to defence magazine India Strategic (www.indiastrategic.in) the LoRs, requesting price and availability for 22 Guardians and one EMALS, are now under consideration by the US Department of Defense (DOD) for clearance under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme and according to sources in Washington, a positive view is likely to be taken and discussions between the two countries should begin soon.

Source: Economic Times July 31, 2016 07:30 UTC