India To Lease 2 MQ-9B SeaGuardian Drones Under Rs 1,900-Crore Deal
India leases two MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones for maritime surveillance.
India’s Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with US defence company General Atomics to lease two MQ-9B SeaGuardian High-Altitude Long-Endurance remotely piloted aircraft systems for the Indian Navy. The 30-month lease agreement, valued at approximately Rs 1,943 crore, was signed in New Delhi on Monday. The move is aimed at strengthening the Navy’s long-range maritime surveillance and intelligence-gathering capabilities across the Indian Ocean Region.
The MQ-9B SeaGuardian is an unmanned aircraft designed primarily for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, while also supporting precision strike operations. The platform is equipped with advanced sensors and specialised payloads and can remain airborne for more than 30 hours. It can operate at altitudes above 40,000 feet and cover large maritime and land areas, making it suited for extended monitoring missions.
The SeaGuardian also has a self-contained anti-submarine warfare mission kit, adding to its utility for maritime operations. The leased aircraft are expected to improve the Navy’s ability to maintain persistent surveillance over large stretches of the maritime domain. The Defence Ministry has indicated that the systems will help monitor developments across the Indian Ocean Region and strengthen India’s ability to respond to emerging situations.
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The lease comes alongside India’s larger procurement programme for MQ-9B drones from General Atomics. India has already signed a $3 billion agreement to procure 31 MQ-9B aircraft for use by the three armed services. Under that arrangement, the Indian Navy is slated to receive 15 SeaGuardian drones, while the Army and Air Force will receive eight aircraft each of the land-attack and reconnaissance configuration known as SkyGuardian.
India has also entered into a separate agreement with General Atomics for performance-based logistics support for the remotely piloted aircraft systems. The arrangement includes depot-level maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities in India, aimed at supporting the operational availability of the platforms. The additional leased SeaGuardians will provide the Navy with further capability while the larger procurement programme progresses.
The Defence Ministry has described the lease as a measure that will significantly enhance the Indian Navy’s Maritime Domain Awareness. With their long endurance, high operating altitude and advanced surveillance systems, the two aircraft are expected to provide sustained intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance coverage over extensive maritime areas. The move forms part of India’s broader efforts to strengthen monitoring and security capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region.
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