India leases 2 MQ-9B jets from US firm under Rs 1,943 crore pact
- Posted on August 17, 2026
- By Business News Today
- 2 Views
- 1 min read
In brief
India has secured a strategic lease agreement with US-based General Atomics for two MQ-9B Sea Guardian unmanned aerial vehicles in a deal worth approximately Rs 1,943 crore. The advanced remotely piloted aircraft systems will be deployed with the Indian Navy for a thirty-month operational period beginning August 2026. This acquisition represents a significant enhancement to India's maritime surveillance infrastructure, enabling persistent reconnaissance and improved domain awareness across the vast Indian Ocean Region, strengthening the nation's naval capabilities and strategic positioning.
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India leases 2 MQ-9B jets from US firm under Rs 1,943 crore pact
The Ministry of Defence has contracted General Atomics for two Sea Guardian drones. These advanced remotely piloted aircraft systems will serve the Indian Navy for thirty months. The contract, valued at approximately Rs 1,943 crore, was signed on August 17, 2026. These drones will significantly boost the Navy's maritime domain awareness capabilities. Persistent surveillance will strengthen India's monitoring across the Indian Ocean Region.
