NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Defence on Monday signed a Rs 1,943-crore contract with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) to lease two MQ-9B Sea Guardian High-Altitude Long-Endurance remotely piloted aircraft systems for the Indian Navy for 30 months, in a move aimed at expanding maritime surveillance across the Indian Ocean Region.
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.
The MQ-9B Sea Guardian systems are equipped with advanced systems, sensors and payloads designed to provide persistent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) coverage over large areas of the maritime domain.
The leased aircraft are expected to strengthen the Navy’s Maritime Domain Awareness capabilities by enabling sustained monitoring of developments across the Indian Ocean Region and supporting a faster response to emerging maritime situations.
The 30-month lease provides the Indian Navy access to the HALE remotely piloted aircraft systems without an outright acquisition, with the platforms intended to supplement the Navy’s existing surveillance capabilities.
The contract with GA-ASI marks the latest step in strengthening India’s ability to maintain persistent surveillance over its expansive maritime area, particularly across the wider Indian Ocean Region.
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