Saket Gokhale @SaketGokhale Jun 24, 2023
Modi Govt OVERPAYS for US drones in deal signed by PM Modi (like Rafale) PM Modi signed an agreement in the US to purchase 31 MQ9B Predator drones for $3.1 billion+. That's ~ $110 million per drone. Now let's compare that with the actual price for the SAME drone . The MQ9B drone being purchased by Modi Govt is also knows as MQ9B Reaper (or Predator) & is made by General Atomics. Now remember - US purchases drones from pvt companies at market prices.
How much does US Air Force pays for these drones? $56.5 million per drone
Another country which purchased MQ9B drones from General Atomics in 2016 is the UK. UK in 2016 paid £180 million (i.e. $200 million) for a total of 16 drones to be delivered in 2024. How much did the UK pay for ONE MQ9B drone? About $12.5 million per drone.
Australia signed a deal to buy 12 MQ9B drones for $1.65. That's ~ $130 million per drone. BUT wait - this came with MANY EXTRA SYSTEMS that India is NOT GETTING for $ 110 million per drone. AND - Australia canceled this deal later for being TOO EXPENSIVE.
Just like the Rafale deal, it seems that Modi Govt is AGAIN purchasing US drones at a SUPER OVERPRICED cost.
Question:
Why is Modi Govt purchasing overpriced drones from US when cheaper similar versions are available?
Whatever happened to "Atmanirbhar Bharat"?
Also, for those claiming that the premium price paid by the Modi Govt includes "transfer of technology", here's what the govt told Parliament in 2017:
Drone is being purchased under Buy (Global) category and THERE IS NO TRANSFER OF TECHNOLOGY envisaged.
If that has changed, Modi Govt should clarify
Jun 26 How the Modi Govt suddenly chickened out & changed its stance on the price of drones being bought from the US: This happened after I pointed out how other countries have gotten the same drone at much cheaper prices. Here's how the shocking u-turn by the Modi Govt unfolded
Two days ago, I wrote an extensive tweet thread pointing out that Modi Govt was purchasing MQ9 drones from the US at an INFLATED price. I pointed out the comparison between $3 billion being announced as India's purchase cost with what other countries have paid.
Yesterday, Modi Govt's @PIBFactCheck claimed my tweet was "misleading" about the price of the deal & the Ministry of Defense also released a press release. The ONLY part of my tweet they've disputed is the price of $3 billion for 31 drones. Nothing else. Now let's look at various news reports that were published reporting the drone deal to be signed by PM Modi & President Biden during Modi's US visit.
EVERY news report has stated the price as $3 billion for 31 drones. In fact, India Today claimed $4 billion.
Now, none of these news reports were disputed by the Modi Govt when they were published
In fact, BJP & Modi Govt did a propaganda blitz over the reports of this $3 billion drone deal to be signed by PM Modi
And then, suddenly, after I pointed out how this drone deal was OVERPRICED compared to what other countries are paying, the Modi Govt immediately made a u-turn
Now, Modi Govt suddenly claims that "price of drones is yet to be approved & negotiated"
Saket Gokhale @SaketGokhale Why did the Modi Govt not dispute a SINGLE news report that published the price of the drone deal as $3 billion until my tweet? Why did Modi Govt not dispute reports stating that Govt's Defense Acquisition Council had approved $3bn for the drone deal? During PM Modi's US visit, it was claimed that the deal was "signed".
And after I pointed out this deal is OVERPRICED, Modi Govt suddenly made a u-turn & claims "deal is not finalized". Modi Govt's lies have been exposed again & now they're again trying to mislead people
Anil #BRS @OnlyTRS Jun 26 How can a deal be signed without price negotiations , terms and conditions. Looks like they kept a ‘margin’ for electoral bonds and changed the time after getting caught.