India Clears Major Hurdle In Purchase Of 31 US MQ-9B SkyGuardian Drones
- These instructions should be seen as permanent rules from the Commission, and they will be used for all future elections.
- The Election Commission of India wrote in answer to a question on March 27, 2014, to the Ministry of Defense about the matter.
India is likely to get 31 MQ9-B SkyGuardian Drones faster now that the main obstacle of having to notify Congress for 30 days is likely to be over. Lawmakers are not likely to object on Sunday because of the upcoming general elections, which are just normal business.
In February, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) told the US Congress that the State Department had decided that India could get 31 MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft and other equipment for a total cost of about USD 3.99 billion.
It cost USD 1.70 billion for the 31 MQ9-B SkyGuardian Drones alone. The cost of the services, technology, and equipment is expected to be USD 2.29 billion. The deal includes 161 Embedded Global Positioning & Inertial Navigation Systems (EGIs) and 35 L3 Rio Grande Communications Intelligence Sensor Suite, as well as 31 MQ-9B SkyGuardian Aircraft.
“This sale is necessary in furtherance of the US foreign policy and national security objectives,” the notice stated.
What needs to happen next is for the US to send India a letter of offer and acceptance. This should normally be seen as a formality.
US President Joe Biden announced it during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s trip to Washington, DC, in June 2023. All major legal and bureaucratic steps have already been taken by India, including those from the Union Cabinet.
Now that the State Department’s letter has been sent out, India needs to send an official acceptance letter to the US about the deal. This is necessary for the two countries to start formal price negotiations.
When the general election is called, the Model Code of Conduct goes into effect. This is not likely to be the last court problem.
“Model Code is not applicable to any matter pertaining directly to the defence forces, be it the recruitments/promotions for defence forces, any service matters pertaining to them, defence purchases of any kind, tenders relating to the matter of the defence forces and therefore no reference in such matters need to be sent to the Election Commission,” states the Model Code of Conduct from the Indian Election Commission.
“These instructions should be seen as permanent rules from the Commission, and they will be used for all future elections.” “This may be brought to the attention of all those involved for future reference,” the Election Commission of India wrote in answer to a question on March 27, 2014, to the Ministry of Defense about the matter.
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