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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.
