India said on Monday that it had ​signed a contract with General Atomics ‌Aeronautical Systems to lease two MQ-9B Sea Guardian high-altitude long-endurance drones for the Indian Navy ​for a period of 30 ​months at a cost of 19.43 billion ⁠rupees ($203 million). The deal will “significantly enhance” the Indian ​Navy’s maritime domain awareness capabilities and strengthen “ability ​to monitor and respond to developments across the Indian Ocean Region”, the government said in a ​statement. The deal comes at a time ​when India and China are engaged in a ‌strategic ⁠tussle for influence in the Indian Ocean region. In 2020, the Indian Navy leased two MQ-9A Sea Guardian drones from General ​Atomics for ​a period ⁠of one year, which was subsequently extended. India has long expressed interest, opens new tab ​in buying large, armed drones ​from ⁠the U.S. In 2024, New Delhi signed a deal with the U.S. State Department to buy ⁠31, opens new tab ​armed MQ-9B Sky Guardian ​and Sea Guardian high-altitude long-endurance drones.

Full report : India signs $203 million drone lease deal with General Atomics.