How Will India Use The 31 MQ-9B Reaper Drones That It’s Buying From The US?

The era of Great Power Competition doesn’t just apply to the United States and China; India is also competing in the military and economic spheres against China. Against this backdrop, India is reportedly set to finalize a $3.9 billion deal with the US to acquire some 31 MQ-9 Reaper (also called the MQ-9B Predator) drones, 15 Sea Guardian drones for the Indian Navy, and 16 Sky Guardian drones for the Army and Air Force. While the US Air Force has its own missions for the Reaper drone, India is likely to use them with an eye to China.