Qatar’s Bold Move: Securing MQ-9B Predator Drones in Landmark US Agreement

The United States has granted preliminary authorization for the energy-abundant Middle Eastern nation of Qatar to procure eight armed MQ-9B Predator drones for its armed forces, an estimated transaction valued at nearly USD 2 billion.

The State Department’s endorsement, revealed early Thursday for Qatar, follows Doha’s efforts to acquire the drones during the Biden administration but did not receive approval, even while acting as an intermediary for Washington with the Taliban in Afghanistan, Iran’s regime, and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

This prompt endorsement under President Donald Trump marks a significantly different foundation for his administration’s relations with Qatar — especially after he initially supported a four-nation boycott of Doha during his first term.

“This intended sale will bolster the foreign policy and national security aims of the United States by enhancing the security of an allied nation that remains a crucial player for political stability and economic advancement in the Middle East,” the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency stated in a release.

Qatar’s administration did not promptly respond to a request for feedback on Thursday. Qatar ranks as the second-largest buyer of US military assets following Saudi Arabia, investing over USD 26 billion on F-15 fighter jets, Apache attack helicopters, missile defense systems, and additional equipment.

The intended sale is now submitted to the US Congress. Legislators generally examine such transactions and, in certain instances, can impede them.

As per the agreement’s conditions, Qatar would acquire eight of the drones, along with hundreds of bombs and missiles to equip the unmanned aircraft and the necessary tools for satellite operation.

General Atomics Reapers, priced at approximately USD 30 million each, can operate at elevations exceeding 40,000 feet (12,100 meters) and possess a flight duration of over 30 hours before necessitating a landing. These aircraft have been utilized by both the US military and the CIA across the Middle East for years, in Afghanistan, Iraq, and currently over Yemen during the American aerial campaign there. The drone comes in both land and sea variants.

The preliminary endorsement for Qatar, however, arrives after the neighboring United Arab Emirates has been awaiting approval since 2020 to acquire up to 18 MQ-9 drones as part of a USD 23 billion agreement that also includes cutting-edge F-35 fighter aircraft. Trump has maintained a particularly strong connection with the UAE, which reached a diplomatic recognition agreement with Israel during his administration in 2020. (AP)