People look at a "Predator MQ-9" drone at the International Aerospace Exhibition (ILA) in Schoenefeld on May 30, 2016. (TOBIAS SCHWARZ / AFP)

India plans to buy 30 armed drones from the US to boost its sea and land defenses, according to officials with knowledge of the matter.

The South Asian nation will approve next month the US$3 billion purchase of 30 MQ-9B Predator drones manufactured by San Diego-based General Atomics, the officials said, asking not to be identified speaking with the media. The deal would add to India’s military capabilities as the drones it has now can only be used for surveillance and reconnaissance.

The South Asian nation will approve next month the US$3 billion purchase of 30 MQ-9B Predator drones manufactured by San Diego-based General Atomics, the officials said

India is emerging as a strategic defense partner for the US, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government is in the midst of a 10-year, US$250 billion military modernization.

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“US-India relations in the present day are the result of decades of dedicated efforts by both countries,” Vivek Lall, chief executive for General Atomics, said in an email. “The fact that defense cooperation remains high on the list of priorities for the bilateral relationship, is a sign of our mutual security objectives.”

Spokespeople from India’s Defense Ministry and Pentagon officials didn’t respond to requests for comment.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is expected to visit India this month, according to local media.

The MQ-9B drone can fly for about 48 hours and carry a payload of about 1,700 kilograms. It will give the Indian Navy the ability to better monitor the southern Indian Ocean.

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Last year, India leased two unarmed MQ-9 Predators but weren’t deployed after the Air Force expressed apprehension about drones manned by US personnel flying over the border.