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₹1,943 Crore Deal: Indian Navy Leases 2 MQ-9B Sea Guardian Drones from US for 30 Months

Target:UPSC GS-IIIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link
17 Aug 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:₹1,943 crore30 months2 MQ-9B Sea Guardian4 units$3.5 billion (₹28,000 crore) in 2024
Bodies:Ministry of DefenceGeneral Atomics AeronauticalIndian Navy
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.MoD signed lease for two MQ-9B Sea Guardian HALE RPAS at ₹1,943 crore for 30 months with General Atomics.

2.Navy currently operates two MQ9A on lease since 2020; total HALE RPAS inventory will increase to four.

3.Part of larger $3.5 billion (₹28,000 crore) 2024 deal for 31 MQ-9Bs; global MRO facility to be set up in India.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · Medium

The Ministry of Defence signed a ₹1,943 crore contract to lease two MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones from US firm General Atomics for 30 months, boosting Indian Navy's maritime surveillance capabilities across both eastern and western fronts. This expands the Navy's drone fleet to four units and bridges the gap until delivery of 31 MQ-9Bs ordered in 2024.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Contract Value₹1,943 crore
Lease Duration30 months
Number of Drones Leased2 MQ-9B Sea Guardian
Total Navy Inventory4 units (2 existing MQ9A + 2 new)
Deal for 31 MQ-9Bs$3.5 billion (₹28,000 crore) in 2024

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Contract Value: ₹1,943 crore
  • ›Lease Duration: 30 months
  • ›Target this Data: ₹1,943 crore lease contract for 2 MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones for 30 months
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Ministry of Defence (MoD) – signed with General Atomics Aeronautical
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Leasing vs Procurement – often tested in defense acquisition procedures

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which ministry/department signed the ₹1,943 crore contract to lease two MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones for the Indian Navy?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the new lease of MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones:

1. The contract is worth ₹1,943 crore for a period of 30 months.

2. The Indian Navy currently operates two MQ-9B drones on lease since 2020.

3. The new drones will enable simultaneous surveillance of both eastern and western fronts.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

What is the exact value of the lease contract signed for the two MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary strategic advantage of leasing the two MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones for the Indian Navy?

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