Ministry of Defence, General Atomics Sign ₹1,943 Crore Contract for Two MQ-9B Sea Guardian Drones

The Ministry of Defence has signed a ₹1,943 crore 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, as per a PIB press release. 

The contract was signed on August 17, 2026, at Kartavya Bhawan-2 in New Delhi, in the presence of A Anbarasu, Additional Secretary and Director General (Acquisition), Department of Defence. 

30-Month Lease 

The aircraft will be leased to the Indian Navy for 30 months. The Ministry said the systems will be used for maritime surveillance and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR). 

The aircraft will provide coverage across large areas of the maritime domain. The MoD said they will also help monitor developments across the Indian Ocean Region. 

Sea Guardian Aircraft 

The MQ-9B Sea Guardian is the maritime-focused version of GA-ASI’s SkyGuardian remotely piloted aircraft system. It can be fitted with maritime sensors and operated beyond the horizon through satellite connectivity. 

Depending on the configuration, the aircraft can fly for more than 30 hours. Its systems can include wide-area maritime radar, Automatic Identification System, electronic support measures and a self-contained anti-submarine warfare (ASW) mission kit. 

Range and Operations 

The Sea Guardian can be used for maritime ISR, search and rescue, anti-surface warfare, ASW, airborne mine countermeasures and over-the-horizon targeting. 

For ASW operations, the aircraft can carry sonobuoy management and control equipment and dispenser systems.  

Earlier Navy Contract 

The latest agreement follows a ₹449 crore contract signed in June with Bengaluru-based Accord Software and Systems for 20 Enhanced Capability Global Navigation Satellite System (ECGNSS) Jammers for the Indian Navy. 

The jammer contract was placed under the Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured) category and includes a minimum indigenous content requirement of 75%. 

Read More: PM-VBRY Registers 60 Lakh First-Time Employees Since August 2025; More Than 18 Lakh Women Benefit! 

Conclusion 

The ₹1,943 crore contract covers the 30-month lease of two MQ-9B Sea Guardian aircraft from General Atomics. The Indian Navy will use the systems for maritime surveillance, ISR and related operations. 

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