India-America Defence Deal: PM Modi is going to America. Before his visit, India has made a big defence deal with America. The Indian Defense Ministry has approved the deal to buy MQ-9B Predator drones from the US. In this deal of about three billion dollars, i.e. about 24 thousand crore rupees, 31 most deadly and modern Predator drones from America will be included in the Indian Army fleet.
Amidst these reports of defence deals, senior American journalist and geopolitical expert Farid Rafiq Zakaria believes India needs to be at the forefront of military technology in the face of challenges from neighbouring countries and the changed present circumstances.
Geopolitical Expert Farid Rafiq Zakaria Claims
In an interview, Indo-American journalist and geopolitical expert Fareed Rafiq Zakaria was asked whether India can rely on America as an arms supplier. In response to this question, he said, With India having state-of-the-art weapons, it desperately needs to be at the forefront of military technology. But at the moment, he is using second-class Russian weapons. That’s why America can be a more reliable partner for India than Russia.
Russian Weapons Vs American Weapons
Comparing Made in Russian weapons with American weapons, Zakaria said that even during the Gulf War, American weapons had no match with anyone. He was the best then and is still today. He said, ‘When you put American equipment at par with Russian equipment, it doesn’t even come second, but its level is fourth.’
Ukraine Attack Exposed Russia: Zakaria
Referring to Russian weapons, aircraft and equipment currently in India, Zakaria said, “If you want to know the quality and capability of Russian weapons and equipment, you have to understand what is going on in Ukraine.” The quality of every weapon in the Russian fleet will likely decrease because Moscow is deprived of the necessary technology due to the strict sanctions imposed on Russia; they cannot innovate.
