India has signed a ₹1,943 crore contract with US-based General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) to lease two MQ-9B SeaGuardian High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) for the Indian Navy. The agreement, signed on August 17, 2026, will provide the Navy with the advanced unmanned platforms for a period of 30 months.
The latest arrangement is aimed at strengthening India’s maritime surveillance capabilities at a time when sustained monitoring of the Indian Ocean Region has become increasingly important. The MQ-9B SeaGuardian is designed for long-endurance missions and can support persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) operations across large maritime areas.
Under the agreement, the two remotely piloted aircraft will add to the Indian Navy’s existing aerial surveillance resources, enabling it to maintain a wider and more continuous watch over strategically important sea lanes and maritime approaches. Their long endurance makes them particularly suitable for missions that require extended time on station.
The contract was signed in New Delhi in the presence of A. Anbarasu, Additional Secretary and Director General (Acquisition) in the Department of Defence. The deal with General Atomics also reflects the continuing defence cooperation between India and the United States in advanced unmanned and surveillance technologies.
The MQ-9B Sea Guardian is part of General Atomics’ family of long-endurance unmanned aircraft developed for persistent surveillance and reconnaissance missions. Its deployment with the Indian Navy is expected to improve maritime domain awareness by providing commanders with additional airborne surveillance coverage over distant oceanic areas.
The 30-month leasing model also gives India access to the capability without waiting for the longer timelines normally associated with a full-scale acquisition programme. For the Navy, the immediate availability of additional high-endurance surveillance platforms can help address operational requirements while broader plans for expanding its unmanned aerial fleet continue.
The ₹1,943 crore agreement therefore represents a focused capability enhancement for the Indian Navy, particularly in the area of persistent maritime surveillance. With the MQ-9B Sea Guardian platforms, India is looking to strengthen its ability to track developments across the wider maritime environment and respond more effectively to emerging security challenges.