The Cabinet Committee on Defense Affairs has approved significant deals to enhance the Indian Navy and Defense Forces. These agreements include the indigenous construction of two nuclear submarines and the purchase of 31 Predator drones from the U.S., totaling ₹80,000 crore.
The Indian Navy will receive two nuclear-powered attack submarines, significantly boosting its operational capabilities in the Indian Ocean region. Sources indicate that the deal to construct these submarines at the Ship Building Center in Visakhapatnam is valued at approximately ₹45,000 crore, with private sector firms like Larsen & Toubro playing a substantial role.
The Indian Navy actively pushed for this long-awaited deal to address a critical shortage in submarine capabilities. In the long term, India aims to induct six such submarines into its fleet as part of its indigenous submarine program.
These new submarines, developed under the ambitious Project Advanced Technology Vessel, differ from the five nuclear submarines currently under construction in the Arihant class at the same facility.
In addition to the submarine deal, the Cabinet Committee also approved the purchase of 31 Predator drones from U.S. General Atomics, which will further strengthen India’s defense capabilities. This acquisition falls under the Indo-U.S. Foreign Military Sales Agreement and required approval by October 31, as the U.S. offer was valid until that date. Defense authorities plan to sign this deal in the coming days.
Once finalized, the defense forces will begin receiving the drones four years after signing the agreement. Specifically, the Indian Navy will acquire 15 of the 31 drones, while the Army and Air Force will each receive eight drones.