The procurement of 31 MQ9-B SkyGuardian Drones by India is poised to gain momentum as the critical obstacle of the mandatory 30-day Congressional notification period is anticipated to pass without objection from lawmakers on Sunday. However, the process may face routine procedural delays due to the upcoming general elections.
In February, the Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) informed the US Congress about the State Department's determination regarding a potential Foreign Military Sale to India, encompassing 31 MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft and associated equipment, with an estimated value of USD 3.99 billion.
Of the total, the MQ9-B SkyGuardian Drones alone carry a price tag of USD 1.70 billion, while the remaining services, including technology and equipment, are valued at approximately USD 2.29 billion. The proposed deal also includes 161 Embedded Global Positioning & Inertial Navigation Systems (EGIs) and 35 L3 Rio Grande Communications Intelligence Sensor Suite.
Stressing the necessity of the sale in advancing US foreign policy and national security objectives, the notification highlighted its significance.
The subsequent stage involves the United States sending a letter of offer and acceptance to India, typically considered a procedural formality.
Initially announced by US President Joe Biden during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Washington DC in June 2023, all significant legal and bureaucratic procedures on the Indian side, including approvals from the Union Cabinet, have been completed.
Following the dispatch of the letter from the State Department, India is expected to furnish a formal acceptance letter to the United States, initiating formal price negotiations between the two nations.
While the announcement of the general election triggers the Model Code of Conduct, it is unlikely to present a final legal obstacle.
As per the Model Code of Conduct issued by the Election Commission of India, matters directly related to the defence forces, including recruitments, promotions, service matters, purchases, and tenders, are exempt from the Code's purview. This exemption has been reiterated in a letter issued by the Election Commission of India to the Ministry of Defence on March 27, 2014, underscoring its standing instructions for future elections.
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