New Delhi/IBNS: The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved two major deals to construct two nuclear-powered conventional strike submarines (SSNs) and the acquisition of 31 Predator missile-firing drones from US-based General Atomics in a big boost to India's military capability.

The construction of two nuclear submarines will be done domestically, with a budget of over Rs 40,000 crore.

The project will be executed at the Ship Building Centre in Visakhapatnam, and will heavily involve the Indian private sector, marking a major step in the country's push towards indigenisation of its defence industry.

In addition, the Cabinet Committee on Security has approved the acquisition of 31 Predator drones from US-based General Atomics.

This deal, arranged under the Foreign Military Sales contract between the two nations, comes just in time, as the American proposal was set to expire by October 31. The agreement is expected to be finalised in the coming days.

As per the contract, the delivery of the drones will begin within four years of the deal’s signing. Of the 31 drones, the Indian Navy will receive 15 units, while the Army and the Air Force will each receive eight.