India Leases Two MQ-9B SeaGuardian Drones to Boost Navy Surveillance
On August 17, 2026, India’s Ministry of Defence signed a ₹1,943 crore ($200-203 million) contract with General Atomics to lease two MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones for the Indian Navy for 30 months. This brings India’s leased MQ-9B fleet to four, bridging the gap until delivery of 31 ordered drones begins in 2029. The advanced HALE UAVs will enhance maritime ISR over the Indian Ocean Region, supporting the P-8I fleet and deepening India-US defence cooperation.
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US Ambassador Gor Discusses Aerospace, Defense Cooperation With General Atomics Executive
US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor met Dr. Vivek Lall of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems on Monday to discuss expanding US-India cooperation in aerospace, defense, energy, and advanced technologies, including nuclear energy. The meeting coincided with India's Ministry of Defense announcing a 30-month contract to lease two MQ-9B Sea Guardian High-Altitude Long-Endurance remotely piloted aircraft systems for the Indian Navy, valued at approximately Rs 1,943 crore. The drones, equipped with advanced sensors and payloads, are intended to enhance the Indian Navy's maritime domain awareness and provide persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance coverage across the Indian Ocean Region, enabling quicker responses to emerging maritime developments.
India Leases Two MQ-9B SeaGuardian Drones in $203 Million Deal with General Atomics
The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a 30-month contract with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) to lease two MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones for the Indian Navy, valued at approximately $203 million. The agreement was finalized in New Delhi on 17 August 2026. These high-altitude long-endurance remotely piloted aircraft systems, equipped with advanced sensors and payloads, are intended to significantly enhance the Indian Navy's maritime surveillance capabilities, particularly over the Indian Ocean Region. This lease comes as India awaits delivery of a separate $4 billion order for 31 MQ-9B drones placed in 2024, with 15 allocated to the Navy and the rest to the Army and Air Force. The first batch of those procured drones is scheduled for January 2029, with full delivery by October 2030. The Indian Navy had previously obtained two MQ-9B UAVs from General Atomics in 2020.
India Leases Two MQ-9B SeaGuardian Drones in $203 Million Deal
The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a 30-month contract with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) to lease two MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones for the Indian Navy, valued at approximately $203 million. The agreement was finalized in New Delhi on 17 August 2026. The high-altitude long-endurance remotely piloted aircraft systems, equipped with advanced sensors and payloads, are intended to significantly enhance the Indian Navy's maritime surveillance capabilities, providing persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance coverage over the Indian Ocean Region. This lease comes as India awaits delivery of a separate $4 billion order for 31 MQ-9B drones placed in 2024, with 15 allocated to the Navy and the rest to the Army and Air Force. The first batch of those procured drones is expected by January 2029, with full delivery by October 2030. The Indian Navy previously leased two MQ-9B drones in 2020.
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India Leases Two MQ-9B SeaGuardian Drones in $203 Million Deal
The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a 30-month lease agreement with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) for two MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones, valued at approximately $203 million. The deal, finalized on August 17, 2026, aims to significantly enhance the Indian Navy's maritime surveillance capabilities over the Indian Ocean Region. The leased high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) remotely piloted aircraft systems are equipped with advanced sensors and payloads for persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). This lease comes as India awaits delivery of a separate $4 billion order for 31 MQ-9B drones placed in 2024, with the first batch expected by January 2029. The Indian Navy previously leased two MQ-9B drones in 2020. The SeaGuardian variant can remain airborne for over 30 hours and supports missions including maritime patrol, anti-submarine warfare, and search and rescue.
Indian Navy Leases Two Additional MQ-9B SeaGuardian UAVs
India signed a contract with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems on August 17, 2026, to lease two additional MQ-9B SeaGuardian High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) for the Indian Navy for 30 months, worth ₹1,943 crore ($200 million). This brings the total leased MQ-9Bs to four, bridging the gap until India receives 31 MQ-9B Sky/Sea Guardians ordered in October 2024 (delivery from 2029). The leased UAVs will have a similar configuration to the ordered ones, which include armaments like Hellfire missiles and small diameter bombs, and anti-ship missile integration. The lease is part of the Navy's efforts to enhance long-endurance maritime ISR to support its P-8I fleet, amid ongoing UAV inductions and incidents involving other drone types.
Indian Navy Leases Two Additional MQ-9B SeaGuardian UAVs
India has signed a contract with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems to lease two additional MQ-9B SeaGuardian High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) remotely piloted aircraft systems for the Indian Navy. The 30-month lease, valued at ₹1,943 crore ($200 million), was signed on August 17, 2026. This brings the total number of leased MQ-9Bs in Indian Navy service to four, bridging the gap until India begins receiving the 31 MQ-9B Sky/Sea Guardians ordered in October 2024. The 2024 deal, worth nearly $4 billion, includes 15 UAVs for the Navy and eight each for the Army and Air Force, with deliveries scheduled to start in 2029. The leased UAVs will feature a configuration similar to the ordered ones, including potential integration of the DRDO NASM-SR anti-ship missile. The lease is part of ongoing efforts to enhance maritime ISR capabilities, supporting the P-8I fleet.
Indian Navy Leases Two Additional MQ-9B SeaGuardian UAVs
India has signed a contract with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems to lease two additional MQ-9B SeaGuardian High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) remotely piloted aircraft for the Indian Navy. The 30-month lease, valued at ₹1,943 crore ($200 million), was signed on August 17, 2026. This brings the total number of leased MQ-9Bs operated by the Indian Navy to four, bridging the gap until India receives 31 MQ-9B Sky/Sea Guardians ordered in a 2024 deal. The 2024 procurement, valued at nearly $4 billion, includes 15 UAVs for the Navy and eight each for the Army and Air Force, with deliveries scheduled to start in 2029. The leased UAVs will feature a configuration similar to the ordered ones, including potential integration of the DRDO NASM-SR anti-ship missile. The lease is part of ongoing efforts to enhance the Navy's long-endurance maritime ISR capabilities, supporting the P-8I fleet.
India to lease two Sea Guardian drones for the Indian Navy
India's Ministry of Defence signed a ₹1,943 crore contract with US-based General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. on August 17, 2026, to lease two MQ-9B Sea Guardian High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) remotely piloted aircraft systems for the Indian Navy for 30 months. The drones, equipped with advanced sensors and payloads, are intended to significantly enhance the Indian Navy's maritime domain awareness and provide persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) coverage across the Indian Ocean Region. The US Embassy welcomed the deal, stating it advances the shared commitment to a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific. The contract underscores deepening India-US defence cooperation, particularly in maritime security and surveillance.