Indian Navy to get two more Sea Guardian drones under Rs 1,943 crore deal

The Ministry of Defence on Monday signed an agreement with US defence company General Atomics Aeronautical Systems to lease two MQ-9B Sea Guardian high-altitude long-endurance unmanned aircraft to the Indian Navy for Rs 1,943 crore.

The Indian Navy already operates two Sea Guardian drones, which were leased a few years ago.

The ministry said the contract with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems covers the remotely-piloted aircraft for a period of 30 months.

“The contract is valued at approximately Rs 1,943 crore. It was signed in the presence of additional secretary and director general (acquisition), Department of Defence,” it said.

The MQ-9B Sea Guardian remotely-piloted aircraft are equipped with advanced systems, state-of-the-art sensors and sophisticated payloads.

The ministry said the aircraft will significantly enhance the Indian Navy’s Maritime Domain Awareness capabilities.

“The systems will provide persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance coverage over vast areas of the maritime domain, strengthening India’s ability to monitor and respond to developments across the Indian Ocean Region,” it said.