Indian Navy to Lease Two MQ-9B Sea Guardian Drones

• 18 Aug 2026

On 17th August 2026, Union Ministry of Defence signed a ₹1,943-crore contract with the U.S.-based General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) to lease two MQ-9B Sea Guardian High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) remotely piloted aircraft system for the Indian Navy for 30 months.

• The MQ-9B Sea Guardian is a High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft System.
• The systems are equipped with advanced sensors, sophisticated payloads and modern surveillance technologies.
• Their induction will strengthen the Indian Navy’s Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) capabilities.