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US welcomes India’s defence contract for MQ-9B drone lease
The US welcomed India’s ₹1,943 crore (around $0.203 million) lease of two MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones, boosting Navy surveillance and ISR capabilities across the Indian Ocean.
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IANS - Mon, 17, Aug 2026
- 14:23 EDT
- 29
MQ-9B drone / File Image Courtesy:X/@USPACOM
The US Embassy in India on Aug. 17 said it welcomes the Ministry of Defence’s contract with General Atomics to lease two MQ-9B Sea Guardian systems to the Indian Navy.
“The United States welcomes the Ministry of Defence’s contract with General Atomics for the lease of two MQ-9B Sea Guardian systems to the Indian Navy. This capability will enhance maritime domain awareness and persistent ISR coverage across the Indian Ocean Region, advancing our shared commitment to a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific. We look forward to continued progress in the US-India defence partnership,” the US Embassy in India stated on X.
The Ministry of Defence on Aug. 17 announced that it has signed a contract with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) to lease two MQ-9B Sea Guardian High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) for the Indian Navy for 30 months.
Also read: India Should Go All-In on Uncrewed Systems
The contract, valued at approximately Rs 1,943 crore (around $0.203 million), was signed at Kartavya Bhawan-2 in New Delhi in the presence of Additional Secretary and Director General (Acquisition), Department of Defence, A. Anbarasu.
"The MQ-9B Sea Guardian HALE RPAS, equipped with advanced systems, state-of-the-art sensors and sophisticated payloads, will significantly enhance the Indian Navy’s Maritime Domain Awareness capabilities," the ministry said.
The induction of the MQ-9B Sea Guardian systems is expected to strengthen the Indian Navy’s Maritime Domain Awareness capabilities significantly. Equipped with advanced systems, sophisticated sensors and state-of-the-art payloads, the remotely piloted aircraft will provide persistent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) coverage across large stretches of the maritime domain.
The systems will enable the Navy to maintain sustained surveillance over vast areas and improve its ability to track and assess developments at sea.
Their deployment is expected to enhance India’s capacity to monitor maritime activity and respond more effectively to emerging developments across the Indian Ocean Region.
"The systems will provide persistent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance coverage over vast areas of the maritime domain, strengthening India’s ability to monitor and respond to developments across the Indian Ocean Region," it added.
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