India Leases Two MQ-9B Sea Guardian Drones for Navy

The Ministry of Defence of India signed a contract worth approximately ₹1,943 crore (203 million U.S. dollars) on August 17, 2026, to lease two MQ-9B Sea Guardian High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. The 30-month agreement, signed at Kartavya Bhawan-2 in New Delhi, provides the Indian Navy with advanced surveillance capabilities to enhance Maritime Domain Awareness across the Indian Ocean Region.

These drones are equipped with high-definition optical payloads, advanced maritime radar, and long-range sensors. They can remain airborne for 30 to 40 hours at altitudes exceeding 40,000 feet, with a range of 6,000 nautical miles. The systems support missions including anti-surface warfare targeting, anti-piracy patrols, search and rescue, and anti-submarine warfare.

This lease follows a previous 2020 agreement for unarmed drones and a 2023 deal to purchase 31 armed drones, with those deliveries expected to begin in 2029. The US Embassy in India welcomed the contract, stating it advances a shared commitment to a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific.