CURRENT AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -Even before the opening up of the industry, ideaForge signed a $20 million deal with the Indian Army. The company received a repeat order in January 2022 and has another order for the infantry. Since the loosening of the drone regulations, ideaForge says business has grown by 10 times.

Detailed explanation-2: -To scale up its surveillance capabilities along the border with China in the Himalayan heights, India is looking to acquire from the US a fleet of Predator armed drones. The proposed deal is for 30 MQ-9 Reaper drones worth $3 billion (around Rs 24, 500 crore)-10 each for the Army, Navy and Air Force.

Detailed explanation-3: -In 2020, the Indian Navy had taken on lease two MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones from General Atomics for a period of one year for surveillance in the Indian Ocean. The lease period has been extended subsequently.

Detailed explanation-4: -India leased two MQ-9As from the US-based General Atomics at the peak of the stand-off with China in eastern Ladakh in 2020. General Atomics provided the drones under a Company-Owned, Company-Operated (COCO) lease agreement. The company says that it operates the aircraft on behalf of the Indian Navy.