India inks $203mn lease deal for remotely piloted aircraft systems

NEW DELHI: India said on Monday that it signed a contract worth 203 million U.S. dollars with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems to lease two MQ-9B Sea Guardian High-Altitude Long Endurance Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems for the Indian Navy for 30 months.

The two MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones, equipped with advanced systems, state-of-the-art sensors and sophisticated payloads, will significantly enhance the Indian Navy's Maritime Domain Awareness capabilities, a defense ministry statement said.

According to the ministry, 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.