MoD leases two MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones for Navy for 30 months
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On 17 August 2026 the Ministry of Defence signed a contract worth about ₹1,943 crore with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems to lease two MQ-9B Sea Guardian High-Altitude Long-Endurance remotely piloted aircraft for the Indian Navy for 30 months. They will boost maritime domain awareness with persistent surveillance across the Indian Ocean Region.
- Date
- 17 Aug 2026
- Vendor
- General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI)
- Platform
- MQ-9B Sea Guardian HALE RPAS
- Number
- two
- Period
- 30 months (lease)
- Value
- about ₹1,943 crore
The lease of MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones: what happened?
The Indian Ocean is vast, and ships cannot watch all of it. Long-endurance drones can stay up for many hours and keep an eye on large areas. Leasing gives the Navy this capability quickly.
- The contract was signed at Kartavya Bhawan-2, New Delhi.
- The drones carry advanced sensors and payloads.
- They will give persistent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) coverage.
Why does it matter?
- It strengthens Maritime Domain Awareness.
- It improves India’s ability to monitor and respond across the Indian Ocean Region.
Why does the lease of MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones matter?
- Maritime security: Persistent watch over sea lanes.
- Speed: Lease gives quick capability.
What can Prelims ask on the lease of MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones?
- MQ-9B Sea Guardian: HALE RPAS by General Atomics; two leased for 30 months (2026).
- HALE: High-Altitude Long-Endurance.
How to use this in Mains
- As per PIB (2026-08-17): moD signed a contract with General Atomics to lease two MQ-9B Sea Guardian HALE RPAS for the Navy for 30 months.
- Long-endurance drones improve maritime domain awareness in the IOR.
Quotable data pointMoD signed a contract with General Atomics to lease two MQ-9B Sea Guardian HALE RPAS for the Navy for 30 months.
PIB: Defence: MQ-9B lease, 17 Aug 2026
Exam angle
Prelims: HALE drones.
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
The MQ-9B Sea Guardian, leased by India in 2026, is manufactured by
Answer (c) & explanation
PIB (Defence), 17 Aug 2026.
Questions students ask about this
What did the MoD sign on 17 August 2026?
A contract to lease two MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones for the Indian Navy for 30 months.
What is the value?
About ₹1,943 crore.
What will they do?
Provide persistent surveillance and maritime domain awareness across the Indian Ocean Region.
Keep studying
Official source: PIB: Defence: MQ-9B lease, 17 Aug 2026
facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending