Washington: The US is likely to respond positively to India’s request for 22 unarmed multi- mission Predator Guardian drones for maritime surveillance, especially in the Indian Ocean, people familiar with the matter said. The move comes after India was designated a major defence partner of the US in June. This was the first major request of arms sale purchase by India after Obama designated New Delhi as a major strategic defence partner. The US government has not made a formal decision on it yet, but is believed to have started an inter agency process on the Indian request. People in the governmental who are close to the development confirmed that defence minister Manohar Parrikar and US defence secretary Ashton Carter had detailed discussions on the Predator Guardian UAV to fulfil maritime surveillance requirements.

Source: Mint September 07, 2016 17:15 UTC