India signs ₹1,943 crore deal to lease two MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones for Navy

Published Aug 17, 05:29 PM UTC

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.