Qatar Takes Flight: Groundbreaking US Pact for MQ-9B Predator Drones
The United States has provided initial approval for the resource-rich Middle Eastern country of Qatar to acquire eight armed MQ-9B Predator drones for its military forces, a projected deal estimated at nearly USD 2 billion.
The endorsement from the State Department, unveiled early Thursday for Qatar, follows Doha’s attempts to obtain the drones during the Biden administration, which did not grant permission, even while acting as a mediator for Washington with the Taliban in Afghanistan, Iran’s government, and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
This swift endorsement under President Donald Trump signifies a notably different foundation for his administration’s relations with Qatar — especially after he initially endorsed a four-nation blockade of Doha during his first term.
“This proposed sale will strengthen the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by enhancing the defense of an allied nation that remains a vital contributor to political stability and economic progress in the Middle East,” the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency remarked in a statement.
The administration of Qatar did not immediately provide a response to a request for comments on Thursday. Qatar is ranked as the second-largest purchaser of US military assets, following Saudi Arabia, having invested over USD 26 billion on F-15 fighter jets, Apache attack helicopters, missile defense systems, and additional military apparatus.
The proposed sale is now presented to the US Congress. Lawmakers typically scrutinize such deals and can, in some cases, block them.
According to the terms of the agreement, Qatar would obtain eight of the drones, accompanied by hundreds of bombs and missiles to outfit the unmanned aircraft, along with the necessary equipment for satellite operation.
General Atomics Reapers, estimated to cost around USD 30 million each, can operate at altitudes exceeding 40,000 feet (12,100 meters) and have a flight endurance of over 30 hours before needing to land. These aircraft have been utilized by both the US military and the CIA throughout the Middle East for years, in Afghanistan, Iraq, and presently over Yemen during the American aerial campaign there. The drone is available in both land and sea versions.
The initial approval for Qatar, however, comes after the neighboring United Arab Emirates has been waiting for endorsement since 2020 to acquire up to 18 MQ-9 drones as part of a USD 23 billion arrangement that also includes advanced F-35 fighter aircraft. Trump has maintained a notably strong relationship with the UAE, which reached a diplomatic recognition agreement with Israel during his administration in 2020. (AP)
