India signed a Rs 1,943 crore contract to lease two MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones for 30 months, even as it moves ahead with a much larger acquisition of 31 such high-altitude, long-endurance drones from the US. The lease deal, signed with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) for the Indian Navy, reveals an important feature of India’s defence procurement strategy: using leased equipment to bridge immediate capability gaps while larger acquisition programmes progress. The Ministry of Defence signed the contract in New Delhi in the presence of Additional Secretary and Director General (Acquisition), Department of Defence, A Anbarasu. The decision effectively allows the Navy to maintain additional unmanned surveillance capacity now, rather than wait for the delivery of the larger fleet being acquired from the US. The apparent overlap is at the heart of the deal. In 2024, India signed an agreement with the US to acquire 31 armed MQ-9B Sky Guardian and Sea Guardian high-altitude, long-endurance drones. Yet the Navy is now spending another Rs 1,943 crore to lease just two MQ-9B Sea Guardians for 30 months. The logic is one of timing and operational continuity. A purchase programme of 31 sophisticated unmanned aircraft involves contracting, manufacturing, delivery and induction. Leasing, by comparison, provides access to the capability over a defined period without waiting for the full acquisition programme to translate into operational assets. (ICE NEW DELHI)

Fonte notizia: Financial Express