Guardian UAV deal with U.S. still a work in progress:

Guardian UAV deal with U.S. still a work in progress:

Indo-US Guardian UAV deal still not executed

Context:

• The Guardian UAV deal between U.S. and India is still in progress for India is looking over the options available before taking a call.

What is the deal about?

• Sale of 22 Guardian maritime surveillance by America has come India’s way.
• But defence sources say that the actual deal is a long way off as the government of India is evaluating the options available.
• There was much speculation that the deal, likely between $2-2.5 billion, would be announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington in June, 2017; but there was no such announcement.
• Washington had offered for India’s consideration the sale of Sea Guardian Unmanned Aerial Systems which would enhance India’s capabilities and promote shared security interests.
• Given the Sea Guardian’s capabilities, such a U.S. response to the Indian Navy’s request demonstrates a major change in U.S. policy as this type of aircraft capability is only exported to a very select few of America’s closest defence partners.
• This represents tangible implementation of U.S.