Indian Navy leases two more MQ-9B SeaGuardians for $200M while awaiting its 31-drone fleet

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems/MQ-9B SkyGuardian / SeaGuardian

India's navy signed a 30-month lease worth about $200M for two more SeaGuardians, doubling its leased fleet to four. They bridge the gap until deliveries from India's October 2024 order for 31 MQ-9Bs begin in 2029.

• Lease value ₹1,943 crore (about $200M), 30 months.
• The 31-drone purchase splits 15 to the Navy and 8 each to the Army and Air Force.
• That purchase was valued at about $4B.