India signs a deal to lease two MQ-9B SeaGuardian remotely piloted aircraft from General Atomics to support maritime surveillance. NDTV reports the transaction is worth about Rs 1,900 crore, while other coverage puts it at about Rs 1,943 crore. The drones are described as SeaGuardian variants used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance roles.
Times of India says the lease runs for about 30 months, with the aircraft operating to help the Indian Navy monitor the Indian Ocean Region through continuous intelligence and reconnaissance. The outlets also place the lease in the broader context of India’s existing plans to procure additional MQ-9B aircraft. NDTV notes India has already signed a separate $3 billion deal to acquire 31 MQ-9B drones for tri-service use. Times of India adds that India plans to acquire those drones via a process that includes domestic assembly, aligning with efforts to expand local defense manufacturing.
