India and the United States are growing closer to the ongoing dispute with China over the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. The Navy has taken two Predator drones on lease from an American company for surveillance in the Indian Ocean region. These drones can be deployed on LAC in East Ladakh.
These US drones have been included by the Navy under the Emergency Procurement Power sanctioned by the Ministry of Defense in view of the dispute with China. The top government source said that these two drones arrived in the second week of November and were inducted on November 21 at the Navy's INS Razali base in the wake of a flying operation. He said that the drone has also started flying operations. The ability to stay in the sky for more than 30 hours will prove to be very effective for the maritime force. Sources said that American crews have also come from the company that will help the Navy in operating these drones.
The drones have been painted in Indian colors and taken on a one-year lease. Preparations are on to purchase 18 more such drones from the US in the three armed forces. India and the United States are working very closely in the ongoing dispute with China in East Ladakh and help is being provided by the United States by sharing surveillance and information.
Having two MQ-9C guards leased will help India carry out surveillance intelligence and surveillance along the border. According to army sources, Sea Guardian has been taken on a one-year lease. Recently, the government changed its policies on defense equipment, which allowed arms to be leased instead of being bought outright.
This is the first decision by the government to lease the defense equipment policies after the relaxation in which two MQ-9s have been leased. Their special thing is that they are able to operate continuously from a height of 40 thousand feet. Also can fly continuously for 30 hours.
Significantly, there have been several confrontations between Indian soldiers and Chinese soldiers on the Ladakh border this year. Continuous Chinese actions on the border are forcing India to take tough decisions. Over the past few years, military talks were held more than seven times, which proved to be a failure.