New Delhi, August 17, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The United States has welcomed India’s Ministry of Defence signing a contract with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) to lease two MQ-9B Sea Guardian remotely piloted aircraft systems for the Indian Navy.
“The United States welcomes the Ministry of Defence’s contract with General Atomics for the lease of two MQ-9B Sea Guardian systems to the Indian Navy,” the US Embassy in India said in a post on X.
The embassy said the capability would strengthen maritime domain awareness and provide persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) coverage across the Indian Ocean Region.
“This capability will enhance maritime domain awareness and persistent ISR coverage across the Indian Ocean Region, advancing our shared commitment to a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific,” it said, adding that Washington looked forward to continued progress in the US-India defence partnership.
The Defence Ministry announced on Monday that the contract with GA-ASI covers a 30-month lease of two MQ-9B Sea Guardian High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) remotely piloted aircraft systems for the Indian Navy.
Valued at approximately Rs 1,943 crore, the contract was signed at Kartavya Bhawan-2 in New Delhi in the presence of Additional Secretary and Director General (Acquisition), Department of Defence, A. Anbarasu.
According to the ministry, the MQ-9B Sea Guardian systems are equipped with advanced systems, sophisticated sensors and state-of-the-art payloads designed to significantly enhance the Navy’s maritime domain awareness capabilities.
The aircraft will provide persistent ISR coverage over vast stretches of the maritime domain, enabling sustained surveillance and improving the Navy’s ability to track and assess developments at sea.
Their deployment is expected to strengthen India’s capacity to monitor maritime activity and respond more effectively to emerging developments across the Indian Ocean Region.
The agreement marks another step in the expanding defence partnership between India and the United States, particularly in the area of maritime security and surveillance.
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