Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 07:28pm on 17 Aug 2026,Monday Defence
India has signed a ₹1,943 crore deal with US-based General Atomics to lease two more MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones for the Navy. The 30-month lease will help prevent a gap in maritime surveillance before India receives its own drones. The Navy already operates two leased MQ-9Bs, which have supported anti-piracy missions in the Arabian Sea. India signed a $3.99 billion deal in 2024 to buy 31 MQ-9B drones for the Navy, Army and Air Force. Deliveries are expected from 2029. The drones can fly for up to 27 hours and provide long-range intelligence and surveillance over land and sea.
