On October 15, 2024, India and the United States finalized a deal worth ₹32,000 crore for the procurement of 31 Predator drones, aimed at enhancing the capabilities of the Indian military across all three services. The agreement includes establishing a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in India.

Of the 31 drones, 15 will be allocated to the Indian Navy, with the remainder distributed evenly between the Air Force and the Army. The deal received approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) last week and comes after years of negotiations. The drones are expected to be stationed at various locations, including INS Rajali in Tamil Nadu, Porbandar in Gujarat, and bases in Uttar Pradesh.