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Hey everyone and welcome to our channel
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Today we will update you on the Indian MQ-9 BC Guardian and Sky Guardian Unmanned Aerial
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Vehicle purchase status. The Indian news source The Wire reports that the US administration has suspended the sale
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of General Atomics MQ-9 BC Guardian and Sky Guardian Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to India
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as well as several other programs in the field of bilateral defense cooperation, demanding
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from the Indian authorities a significant investigation into the alleged attempt by
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Indian intelligence agencies to assassinate Gurpatwan Singh Pannan, the leader of the
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Sikh separatist organization Sikhs for Justice. Pannan, a dual citizen of the US and Canada, is an activist for Khalistan, an independent
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Sikh state project in Indian Punjab, based in New York, accused by India of terrorism
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As reported by The Wire, the US government has suspended the delivery of 31 MQ-9B drones
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to India until New Delhi conducts a substantive investigation into the conspiracy to assassinate Pannan
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The proposed $3 billion purchase includes 15 Sea Guardian UAVs for the Indian Navy
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while the Indian Air Force and Army are to receive eight Sky Guardian UAVs each
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Washington is also holding back other potential purchases by India, including a request for
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six Boeing P-8I Long-Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft. These are intended to supplement the 12 P-8I Poseidon aircraft already in service with
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the Indian Navy. India's Ministry of Defence approved the purchase of the UAVs, now suspended, in June
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2023, just a week before Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to Washington
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This occurred at a time when the conspiracy to assassinate Pannan, allegedly initiated
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by an Indian Security Service employee identified in US federal court documents as CC1, according
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to a US federal indictment disclosed in November of the previous year, was at its peak
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Now, the purchase is stuck in the US Congress due to anger over the brazen assassination
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attempt on Pannan. US representatives have frozen the legislative process required to start the sale, a high-level
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source in Washington told a reporter. The source, who works at the highest levels of US politics, cannot be named as they are
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not authorized to speak to the media. Explaining the delay in delivering these long-range reconnaissance strike UAVs to India, the Washington
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source reports that American legislators of Indian origin are particularly concerned about the implications of the indictment of an Indian named Nihal Gupta
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He has been formally charged with conspiring to murder Pannan and is currently in custody
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in the Czech Republic awaiting deportation to the US. On November 29, the US federal prosecutor charged Gupta with solicitation to commit murder
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which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, and conspiracy to commit murder
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for hire, for which the maximum punishment is 10 years in prison
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Indian-American lawmakers also warned of significant damage to US-India partnership if New Delhi does not address the situation directly and swiftly
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In response to a request for comment on the delay in approving the UAV deal, the US State
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Department stated. One last question, according to a media report, United States blocks $3 billion drone sale
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to India until meaningful investigation of Sikh leader Mr. Pallu assassination conspiracy
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Is it true or just a fake news? So I will say that generally the US-India defense partnership has seen significant growth
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over the past decade. This is a proposed sale that was announced during Prime Minister Modi's visit last year
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We believe it offers significant potential to further advance strategic technology cooperation
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with India and military cooperation in the region. Of course, Congress plays, as you know, an important role in the US arms transfer process
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We routinely consult with members of Congress on the foreign affairs committees before our
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formal notification so we can address questions that they might have. But I don't have any comment on when that formal notification might take place
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The Indian Navy and the Ministry of Defense of India did not respond to a request for comments
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India has undertaken to provide a full report on the Pannan case
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And then the US will make its decision on whether India has taken adequate measures
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or not, says a Washington insider. The Poseidon aircraft and Sea Guardian UAVs are intended to collaborate in monitoring
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vast areas of the Indian Ocean, providing the Indian Navy with enhanced capabilities
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to respond to any attempts to disrupt international trade routes passing through these waters
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The multi-role Sea Guardian UAV has a flight endurance of over 27 hours, a speed of 240
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knots, a service ceiling of 50,000 feet, and a payload of 1,746 kilograms, including
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1,361 kilograms on external hardpoints. The MQ-9B is equipped with the Honeywell TPE-331-10 turboprop engine, significantly improving
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thrust and fuel efficiency, especially at low altitudes. In service with the US Armed Forces, the MQ-9 UAV continues to evolve, remaining relevant
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to the growing needs of its customers. The new MQ-9A Extended Range, or, variant has been designed with upgrade capabilities
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in the field, such as wing fuel tanks and new reinforced landing gear, extending the
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aircraft's already impressive endurance from 27 hours to 34 hours while increasing its
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operational flexibility. Do you think India should divert these purchases to France and Russia
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Let us know in the comments below. And if you like this content, please subscribe to the channel and share and like the videos
