Archive · 17 Aug 2026
India Leases Two MQ-9B Sea Guardian Drones for Navy
India's defence ministry said it will rent two special flying machines called drones for the Navy.
These drones are called MQ-9B Sea Guardian.
They are made by an American company called General Atomics Aeronautical Systems.
The drones can fly very high and stay in the air for a long time.
India will pay about ₹1,943 crore to use them for 30 months, which is about two and a half years.
The Navy already has two similar drones it rented a few years ago.
These drones have special cameras and sensors.
They help the Navy watch the sea and know what is happening around India.
This helps keep the country safe.
India's defence ministry signed a contract with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems to lease two MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones for the Indian Navy.
The 30-month lease is valued at approximately ₹1,943 crore.
The Indian Navy already operates two Sea Guardian drones that were leased a few years ago.
The remotely-piloted aircraft are equipped with advanced systems, state-of-the-art sensors and sophisticated payloads.
The drones will significantly enhance the Indian Navy's Maritime Domain Awareness capabilities.
- Who
- India's defence ministry and American defence major General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, with the Indian Navy as the recipient.
- What
- India signed a contract to lease two MQ-9B Sea Guardian high-altitude long-endurance unmanned aircraft for the Indian Navy.
- When
- Announced on Monday; the lease is for a period of 30 months.
- Where
- India
- Why
- To significantly enhance the Indian Navy's Maritime Domain Awareness capabilities.
- Contract value
- Approximately ₹1,943 crore
- Lease duration
- 30 months
- Aircraft
- 2 MQ-9B Sea Guardian high-altitude long-endurance unmanned aircraft
- Supplier
- General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (US)
- Recipient
- Indian Navy
- Existing fleet
- Navy already operates two Sea Guardian drones leased a few years ago
- Purpose
- Enhance Maritime Domain Awareness capabilities