IN leases two MQ-9Bs

The Indian Navy has inducted two MQ-9B SeaGuardian RPAs for surveillance missions, on lease from General Atomics (GA-ASI). The two MQ-9Bs are presently based at INS Rajali, at Arakonam in Tamil Nadu

Although a US team is stationed at Arakonam for maintenance & training purposes, the Indian Navy controls all operations and data generated in the ISR missions. The one-year lease of the two drones from General Atomics, which is extendable by another

year, is prelude to the IN’s plan to procure 18-30 ‘hunter-killer’ weaponised Sea Guardian or MQ-9 Reapers, with possible fast-track procurement of six of these.