The Ministry of Defence has signed an agreement with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) for leasing two MQ-9B Sea Guardian High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) to the Indian Navy. Indian defence technology companies Indrajaal Autonomous Defense Systems and Sigma Advanced Systems, based in Hyderabad, have secured new orders worth approximately ₹155 crore for the Indrajaal Ranger anti-drone platform.
Orders of MQ-9B & Indrajaal Ranger For Defence Forces
The Ministry of Defence has signed an agreement with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) for leasing two MQ-9B Sea Guardian High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) to the Indian Navy.
The contract, worth approximately ₹1,943 crore, provides for a leasing period of 30 months. It was signed on 17 August 2026 at Kartavya Bhawan-2, New Delhi, in the presence of Additional Secretary and Director General (Acquisition), Department of Defence, Shri A. Anbarasu.
Strengthening Maritime Surveillance
The MQ-9B Sea Guardian systems are equipped with advanced sensors, sophisticated payloads and other modern systems. Their deployment is expected to strengthen the Indian Navy’s Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) capabilities.
The aircraft can provide persistent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) coverage over extensive maritime areas.
This capability is particularly important for monitoring developments across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), enabling India to maintain better awareness of maritime activity and respond more effectively to emerging situations.
Key Facts
- System: MQ-9B Sea Guardian
- Type: HALE RPAS
- User: Indian Navy
- Number: 2
- Lease period: 30 months
- Contract value: Approximately ₹1,943 crore
- Company: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc.
- Main capability: Maritime Domain Awareness and ISR
Indrajaal Ranger Secures ₹155 Crore in Anti-Drone Orders
Indian defence technology companies Indrajaal Autonomous Defense Systems and Sigma Advanced Systems, based in Hyderabad, have secured new orders worth approximately ₹155 crore for the Indrajaal Ranger anti-drone platform.
The announcement was made on 17 August 2026 and highlights the growing importance of indigenous Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) in India’s security architecture.
₹145 Crore Border-Security Order
An order worth approximately ₹145 crore has been awarded to the Indrajaal-Sigma consortium for deployment in India’s border-security environment.
The contract reflects the increasing requirement for mobile systems capable of detecting and countering drones operating near sensitive areas.
₹10 Crore Urban Security Order
A separate order worth around ₹10 crore has been placed by Urban Police authorities.
Under this deployment, the Ranger system will be used for VVIP protection and urban security operations, demonstrating its potential application beyond conventional military roles.
Indrajaal Ranger
The Indrajaal Ranger is described as India’s only ARDTC-approved Anti-Drone Patrol Vehicle. It has been developed as a mobile Counter-UAS platform capable of providing mission capabilities while operating at high speeds.
The growing use of drones for surveillance, smuggling and potential attacks has created a need for flexible counter-drone technologies.
The new orders therefore underline India’s increasing focus on indigenous and autonomous defence technologies for dealing with evolving aerial threats.
