India bolsters Navy's reach with US-made MQ-9B drone lease

India is set to bolster the Indian Navy’s long-range surveillance capabilities with two MQ-9B SeaGuardian unmanned aerial systems under a 30-month lease agreement with US defence company General Atomics Aeronautical Systems.

The Ministry of Defence said the contract was signed in New Delhi on August 17 and is valued at approximately 1,943 crore rupees ($203 million), NDTV reports.

The MQ-9B SeaGuardian is a High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) remotely piloted aircraft system designed for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), as well as precision-strike missions. Equipped with advanced systems, state-of-the-art sensors and sophisticated mission payloads, the aircraft can remain airborne for more than 30 hours, operate at altitudes above 40,000 feet and cover extensive maritime and land areas.

The aircraft is also configured for maritime patrol and reconnaissance and can carry a self-contained anti-submarine warfare mission kit.

India has already signed a $3 billion agreement with General Atomics to acquire 31 MQ-9B drones for use across its armed forces. Under the deal signed during the administration of former US President Joe Biden, the Indian Navy is slated to receive 15 MQ-9B SeaGuardians, while the Army and Air Force will each receive eight land-attack and reconnaissance variants known as SkyGuardians.

New Delhi has also signed a separate agreement with General Atomics for performance-based logistics support for the remotely piloted aircraft systems, including depot-level maintenance, repair and overhaul capabilities in India.

The Defence Ministry said the temporary lease of the two SeaGuardians would provide an immediate boost to the Navy’s ability to monitor India’s maritime approaches.

“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,” the ministry said.

By Vafa Guliyeva