US Drone Program

Officials say the aim of the orders is to boost US manufacturing and innovation while reducing dependence on foreign rivals like China, which leads the global commercial drone market

As part of the deal, India and the US have also agreed to set up a maintenance, repair and overhaul facility for the 31 MQ-9B Predator armed drones in the country

These drones can operate at heights up to 50,000 feet for over 27 hours with a payload capacity of 1,746 kg

The program was pushed by President Donald Trump's White House as a way to speed approvals of more far-ranging unmanned flight operations