New Delhi, Aug. 18 -- The defence ministry on Monday said it signed a Rs.1,943-crore contract with US firm General Atomics Aeronautical Systems to lease two MQ-9B Sea Guardian high-altitude, long-endurance remotely piloted aircraft systems to boost the navy's intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The two remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) are being leased for 30 months, it said. The navy already operates two such systems, leased from the US in 2020 for assured surveillance of the IOR. The platforms are based at naval air station Rajali in Tamil Nadu. Equipped with advanced systems, state-of-the-art sensors and sophisticated payloads, the MQ-9Bs will significantly enhance the Indian Navy's maritime domain awareness capabilities, the defence ministry said. "The systems will provide persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance coverage over vast areas of the maritime domain, strengthening the country's ability to monitor and respond to developments across the IOR," it added. In 2024, India signed a deal worth $3.5 billion with the US to acquire 31 MQ-9B drones to boost its defence preparedness, primarily with an eye on China. Fifteen drones will be for the navy, and eight each for the army and the Indian Air Force. The deliveries are expected to begin in 2029....