India leases two MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones for Rs 1,943 crore

India has signed a Rs 1,943 crore deal with American firm General Atomics Aeronautical Systems to lease two MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones for the Indian Navy. The contract, signed on August 17, 2026, at Kartavya Bhawan-2 in New Delhi, will lease the high-altitude long-endurance unmanned aircraft for 30 months. The Navy already operates two such drones leased a few years ago.

The Ministry of Defence said the drones are equipped with advanced sensors and payloads. They will boost the Navy's maritime domain awareness and provide persistent surveillance over the Indian Ocean Region. The deal was signed in the presence of Additional Secretary and Director General (Acquisition) A Anbarasu.