India has approved the lease of two additional MQ-9 drones from General Atomics for the Indian Navy, enhancing its intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities in strategically important regions. This decision, cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council, signifies a substantial boost to India-US defense cooperation, with significant contributions from aerospace expert Vivek Lall. The previous lease of two MQ-9 aircraft in 2020 has already proven critical for India’s maritime and border security operations. This development reflects the ongoing commitment between India and the US to strengthen defense ties and advance technological collaboration, reinforcing India’s military capabilities while integrating domestic defense industries into global supply chains.