New Delhi: The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a contract with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) for leasing two MQ-9B Sea Guardian HALE RPAS for the Indian Navy for a period of 30 months.
The contract for the MQ-9B Sea Guardian HALE RPAS is valued at approximately ₹1,943 crore. The agreement was signed on August 17, 2026, in the presence of Additional Secretary & Director General (Acquisition), Department of Defence, A. Anbarasu, at Kartavya Bhawan-2 in New Delhi.
Under the contract, the Indian Navy will lease two MQ-9B Sea Guardian HALE RPAS from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. for 30 months. The remotely piloted aircraft systems are equipped with advanced systems, state-of-the-art sensors and sophisticated payloads.
The MQ-9B Sea Guardian HALE RPAS are expected to significantly enhance the Indian Navy’s Maritime Domain Awareness capabilities. The systems will provide persistent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) coverage over vast areas of the maritime domain.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the MQ-9B Sea Guardian HALE RPAS will strengthen India’s ability to monitor and respond to developments across the Indian Ocean Region.
The deployment of the MQ-9B Sea Guardian HALE RPAS will provide the Indian Navy with persistent surveillance coverage across large maritime areas. Their advanced systems, sensors and payloads are designed to support maritime-domain monitoring and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations.
The MQ-9B Sea Guardian HALE RPAS contract was signed with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. as a leasing arrangement for the two remotely piloted aircraft systems. The 30-month lease is valued at approximately ₹1,943 crore.
The Ministry of Defence said the MQ-9B Sea Guardian HALE RPAS will significantly enhance the Indian Navy’s Maritime Domain Awareness capabilities and support persistent ISR coverage over vast areas of the maritime domain.
The systems will also strengthen India’s ability to monitor and respond to developments across the Indian Ocean Region, according to the Ministry of Defence.
With the lease of the two MQ-9B Sea Guardian HALE RPAS, the Indian Navy will receive access to advanced remotely piloted aircraft systems equipped with sophisticated payloads and state-of-the-art sensors for maritime surveillance and reconnaissance.
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MQ-9B Sea Guardian HALE RPAS to Strengthen Maritime Domain Awareness
The MQ-9B Sea Guardian HALE RPAS are equipped with advanced systems, state-of-the-art sensors and sophisticated payloads. These capabilities will significantly enhance the Indian Navy’s Maritime Domain Awareness across the maritime domain.
The systems will provide persistent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) coverage over vast areas, helping strengthen India’s ability to monitor developments across the Indian Ocean Region.
The MQ-9B Sea Guardian HALE RPAS lease is for 30 months and involves two remotely piloted aircraft systems. The contract with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. is valued at approximately Rs 1,943 crore.
The Ministry of Defence’s contract for the MQ-9B Sea Guardian HALE RPAS comes with the objective of strengthening the Indian Navy’s surveillance and maritime awareness capabilities through advanced remotely piloted systems.
MQ-9B Sea Guardian HALE RPAS Contract with General Atomics
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. has entered into the leasing contract with the Ministry of Defence for the two MQ 9B Sea Guardian HALE RPAS. The agreement provides for the systems to be leased to the Indian Navy for 30 months.
The contract was formally signed on August 17, 2026, at Kartavya Bhawan-2 in New Delhi. A. Anbarasu, Additional Secretary & Director General (Acquisition), Department of Defence, was present during the signing.
The MQ-9B Sea Guardian HALE RPAS will provide persistent ISR coverage over extensive maritime areas and support the Indian Navy’s Maritime Domain Awareness capabilities.
The Ministry of Defence stated that the systems will strengthen India’s ability to monitor and respond to developments across the Indian Ocean Region.
Key Details of MQ-9B Sea Guardian HALE RPAS Contract
- Aircraft: Two MQ-9B Sea Guardian HALE RPAS
- User: Indian Navy
- Lessor: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI)
- Lease period: 30 months
- Contract value: Approximately Rs 1,943 crore
- Signing date: August 17, 2026
- Location: Kartavya Bhawan-2, New Delhi
- Key capability: Maritime Domain Awareness
- Coverage: Persistent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance over vast maritime areas
- Region: Indian Ocean Region
