Mike Stone
The change would allow the potential sale of 100 MQ-9 drones to Saudi Arabia
U.S. drone makers face competition from Israeli, Chinese, and Turkish rivals
The change to benefit startups building a new generation of heavy attack drones
WASHINGTON, Sept 5 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump is expected to unilaterally reinterpret a 38-year-old arms control treaty to sell sophisticated "Reaper" style and other advanced military drones abroad, according to a U.S. official and four people familiar with the plan.
The new interpretation would unlock the sale of more than 100 MQ-9 drones to Saudi Arabia, which the kingdom requested in the spring of this year and could be part of a $142 billion arms deal announced in May. U.S. allies in the Pacific and Europe have also expressed interest.
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By designating drones as aircraft like the F-16 rather than missile systems, the United States will sidestep the 35-nation Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) agreement it signed in 1987, propelling drone sales to countries like UAE and in Eastern European nations that have struggled to get their hands on America's best unmanned aerial vehicles.
The new policy will allow General Atomics, Kratos (KTOS.O), opens new tab, and Anduril, which manufacture large drones, to have their products treated as "Foreign Military Sales" by the State Department, allowing them to be easily sold internationally, according to a U.S. official speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity.
This effort is the first part of a planned "major" review of the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program, the official said.
A U.S. Department of State spokesperson declined to comment.
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