- The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved two major defence deals: the purchase of 31 MQ-9B High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) UAVs from the U.S. and the indigenous construction of two nuclear attack submarines (SSNs).
- MQ-9B UAV Deal:
- 15 Sea Guardians for the Navy and 16 Sky Guardians for the Army and Air Force at $3.99 billion.
- General Atomics will set up a Global Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in India as part of offset obligations. Final approval from the CCS, awaiting formal conclusion.
- Nuclear Attack Submarines (SSNs):
- Follow-on to India’s SSBN (ballistic missile submarines) project.
- INS Arighaat was commissioned in August 2023, joining INS Arihant (commissioned in 2016).
- SSNs provide unlimited endurance, with limitations only based on crew stamina.
- India has previously leased SSNs from Russia and expects delivery of a third SSN in two to three years after delays.
Dig Deeper: Read about recent Defence Purchases of India and Defence Trade of India.
