India signs $203 million deal to lease MQ-9B SeaGuardian UAVs

The Indian government has signed a $203 million agreement with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems to lease two MQ-9B SeaGuardian high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The 30-month lease is intended for use by the Indian Navy to maintain maritime surveillance capabilities until a larger order of 31 MQ-9B aircraft, contracted in October 2024, begins arriving between 2028 and 2029.

The MQ-9B platforms will enhance the Navy’s intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) networks, anti-submarine warfare (ASW), and strike capabilities. The drones are equipped for surface search, electronic support, and can deploy AGM-114R Hellfire missiles and Small Diameter Bombs. These assets will operate alongside existing systems, including the P-8I Neptune and MH-60R Seahawk, to create an interoperable maritime security stack.