The Congress on Wednesday alleged Prime Minister Narendra Modihad decided to buy drones from the US at an inflated price without the clearance of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS).
Using Modi’s boastful expression “Ek akela sab pe bhari (One individual is a match for everyone else)” to taunt the Prime Minister, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said one individual had indeed bypassed all laid-down norms to press ahead with the “Rs 25,200 crore” drone deal.
Khera said the deal was finalised during Modi’s recent US visit without following the due process and approval by the CCS.
Addressing a media conference, Khera said: “Why was there no CCS meeting to approve the drone deal? Is it not reminiscent of the Rafale deal wherein Modi unilaterally signed a deal for 36 Rafale fighter jets?”
Khera asked: “Why is India paying more than the price for a drone as compared to other countries? Why are we paying the highest price for a drone, which does not have AI integration?”
Pointing to “influential figures” in the Narendra Modi government who he claimed were pushing the deal, Khera said: “What are the links of the CEO of General Atomics, the makers of the drone in question, with the influential figures of the ruling establishment?” The Congress also pointed out that the General Atomics MQ-9 “Reaper” drones were not the latest model in the market and the US had almost junked them.
Khera said: “Each Predator/ Reaper drone from General Atomics USA will cost approximately Rs 812 crore and India is keen to buy 31 of those, which means a deal of Rs 25,200 crore. While the DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) can develop the same in just 10-20 per cent of the cost, the price being quoted for India is up to four times the rate at which many other countries have bought the drones.”
Comparing the prices, the Congress spokesperson said: “While India will be paying $110 million per drone, the US Air Force had bought the MQ-9 drones of superior quality at $56.5 million each. Similarly, the UK air force bought MQ-9B drones for $12.5 million per piece in 2016, Spain bought for $46.75 million, Taiwan for $54.40 million, Italy and the Netherlands for $82.50 million and Germany for $17 million.”
Khera said the Australian government was supposed to buy the MQ-9 drones from the US at $137.58 million each, but cancelled the deal because it found the price too high.
The Indian defence ministry had said in a statement a few days ago: “The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) on June 15, 2023, accorded the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for acquisition of 31 MQ-9B (16 Sky Guardian and 15 Sea Guardian) High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) for Tri-Services from the USA through Foreign Military Sale (FMS) route. The AoN noted the estimated cost of $3,072 million provided by the US Government. However, price will be negotiated once policy approval of the US Government is received.”
The statement said the ministry of defence would compare the acquisition cost with the best price offered by General Atomics to other countries. The procurement is in progress and will be completed in keeping with the laid-down procedure, the ministry said.
