India is concerned about deal to purchase US drones shot down in Yemen    

NEW DELHI, May 21 (YPA) – Indian media have said this week that the success of the Yemeni armed forces in repeatedly shooting down American MQ-9 drones has made Yemen a graveyard for this type of aircraft.

The media pointed out that this increases concern in India about purchasing this type of aircraft for its army and navy.

The Indian news website “NBT” published a report in which it said: “Yemen has become a graveyard for the American drone (MQ-9 Reaper),” noting that the last drone that was shot down in the airspace of Marib province last week was the sixth of its kind in a year.

The report added that “Yemen has proven to be a very dangerous place for the MQ-9 Reaper, which is considered the most advanced and powerful American drone.”

The report stated that India is purchasing this type of American drone for its army and navy.

According to the website, America had agreed to a deal to provide 30 MQ-9B drones to India.
India felt the need to purchase a powerful and lethal drone in light of the tensions with China and Pakistan.

Earlier today, Tuesday, the Yemeni Armed Forces announced the downing of an American “MQ_9” aircraft in the airspace of Bayda province, the fifth of its kind to be shot down during the battle “the Promised Conquest and Holy Jihad.”

The Armed Forces explained in a statement that the Air Defense Forces shot down an American MQ_9 aircraft with a locally-made surface-to-air missile while it was carrying out hostile missions in the airspace of Bayda province.

YPA