New Delhi | India and the United States have finalised a landmark government-to-government defence agreement worth approximately US$4 billion for the acquisition of 31 MQ-9B Predator unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from American defence major General Atomics. The deal, one of the largest in the history of India–US defence cooperation, is set to significantly enhance India’s intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and precision-strike capabilities across land and maritime domains.
The agreement, cleared by India’s Cabinet Committee on Security and formally signed in October 2024, includes not only the drones and associated weapons but also the establishment of a comprehensive Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility in India—the first such global hub outside the United States.
Service-Wise Allocation
Under the deal, the Indian Navy will receive 15 MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones, while the remaining 16 SkyGuardian variants will be equally divided between the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force, with eight units each. The acquisition builds on the Navy’s operational experience with leased MQ-9Bs, despite the loss of one aircraft in the Bay of Bengal in September 2024.
Indigenous Manufacturing and MRO Boost
In a major step towards defence indigenisation, General Atomics has partnered with Bharat Forge Limited to manufacture key UAV components in India. Announced in early 2023, the collaboration aims to strengthen the domestic unmanned systems ecosystem and could enable local assembly of up to 21 of the 31 drones.
The in-country MRO facility is expected to ensure long-term operational readiness, reduce lifecycle costs, and lessen dependence on overseas logistics. It also marks a significant breakthrough in technology transfer under India’s Major Defence Partner status with the US.
Delivery Timeline
Deliveries of the MQ-9B fleet are scheduled to begin in January 2029, with the first aircraft arriving 51 months after contract signing. The full complement of drones will be delivered by September 2030, spread over a 21-month period to allow phased induction and operational integration. Ten drones will be delivered in flyaway condition, while the remainder will be assembled in India.
Advanced Capabilities
The MQ-9B SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian platforms are designed for medium-altitude, long-endurance missions, offering more than 40 hours of endurance, operational ceilings above 40,000 feet, and speeds of up to 210 knots. Equipped with satellite communication links, they support over-the-horizon operations and feature open architecture systems that allow integration of indigenous payloads and sensors.
The drones can carry AGM-114R Hellfire missiles and GBU-39B/B laser-guided small diameter bombs, enabling precision strike missions alongside persistent ISR roles. The SeaGuardian variant is optimised for maritime operations, supporting anti-submarine warfare, surface surveillance, and coordination with assets such as MH-60R helicopters.
Strategic Impact
For the Indian Army and Air Force, the SkyGuardian drones will significantly enhance surveillance and targeting along the Line of Actual Control with China, providing persistent monitoring over difficult Himalayan terrain. The Navy’s SeaGuardians will strengthen India’s presence in the Indian Ocean Region, offering all-weather surveillance at a fraction of the cost of manned aircraft.
The MQ-9B’s compliance with NATO STANAG 4671 standards and its detect-and-avoid systems enable safe integration into civil airspace, expanding operational flexibility.
Long-Term Strategic Gains
With over eight million flight hours logged globally, the MQ-9B family has proven reliability and is tailored for harsh operating environments. Basing of the drones at key locations such as INS Rajali, Porbandar, Sarsawa and Gorakhpur will ensure wide coverage of India’s maritime and land borders.
Beyond immediate operational benefits, the deal positions India as a future hub for global UAV manufacturing and sustainment, fostering joint development of next-generation combat drones and strengthening strategic autonomy without entering into a formal military alliance.
The India–US MQ-9B Predator deal, backed by indigenous manufacturing and a domestic MRO ecosystem, marks a decisive shift in India’s drone warfare capabilities and underscores the deepening strategic trust between New Delhi and Washington.
