<h4>Overview of the MQ-9B Drone Deal</h4><p>India has finalized a significant <strong>defence deal</strong> with the <strong>United States</strong>, valued at approximately <strong>USD 3.5 billion</strong>.</p><p>This agreement facilitates the acquisition of <strong>31 MQ-9B Predator armed drones</strong> for India's armed forces.</p><h4>The MQ-9B Predator Drones</h4><p>The <strong>MQ-9B Predator drones</strong> are manufactured by <strong>General Atomics</strong>, a leading American defence contractor.</p><div class="info-box"><p>These drones are known for their advanced capabilities, including <strong>long endurance</strong>, <strong>high-altitude operations</strong>, and the ability to carry a variety of <strong>payloads</strong> for surveillance, reconnaissance, and strike missions.</p></div><h4>Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) Facility</h4><p>A crucial aspect of this deal is the commitment by <strong>General Atomics</strong> to establish a dedicated <strong>Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility</strong> in <strong>India</strong>.</p><div class="key-point-box"><p>The establishment of an <strong>MRO facility</strong> in India is a significant step towards boosting <strong>indigenous defence manufacturing</strong> and reducing reliance on foreign maintenance infrastructure, aligning with the <strong>'Make in India'</strong> initiative.</p></div><h4>Foreign Military Sales (FMS) System</h4><p>The entire procurement process for the <strong>MQ-9B drones</strong> has been conducted under the <strong>Foreign Military Sales (FMS) system</strong> of the <strong>U.S. Government</strong>.</p><div class="exam-tip-box"><p>Understanding the <strong>FMS system</strong> is vital for UPSC aspirants, as it frequently features in discussions about <strong>India-US defence cooperation</strong> and global arms trade mechanisms. It highlights a government-to-government transaction rather than direct commercial sales.</p></div>