AUSA 2023 — UAV manufacturer General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) has made Ukraine a new offer for two MQ-9 Reaper aircraft to include spare parts, technical support and transfer of satellite data, “sweetening” an earlier proposal for Kyiv to acquire the systems for $1, a company spokesperson told Breaking Defense.
The improved offer would offset expenses associated with operating the aircraft, but approval of the deal rests with the DoD.
“The deal was always [first] that we would give them two Reaper systems, bring them to Ukraine to train, but we have now sweetened that to cover spare parts, reach back technical support, and we would even include some initial transfer of data, satellite data time that is very expensive and offset some of that expense,” said C. Mark Brinkley, chief marketing and communications strategist at GA-ASI.
Lobbying by the manufacturer to have the DoD approve the deal has so far proven unsuccessful, despite “numerous conversations” between the two parties, Brinkley said.
“From a GA perspective and I think the Ukrainian perspective, if they could get them they would take them — and with the F-16s being delivered [to Ukraine] I think the number of excuses or reasons why MQ-9s haven’t been fully approved for Ukraine are starting to erode,” said Jaime Walters, vice president of international strategic development at GA-ASI.
The decision by the Biden administration to allow European countries to start training Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets opened the way for the Netherlands to coordinate an international F-16 coalition training effort. The US will also begin training Ukrainian pilots on the fighters jet from Morris Air National Guard Base, Arizona, this month.
In response to questions, a Pentagon spokesperson said, “The Department of Defense works closely with our Ukrainian partners to ensure they have the weapons, systems and equipment required for their immediate needs and long-term defense. We have no further information or details to provide at this time.”
Drones have become a ubiquitous weapon on the Ukrainian battlefield. Smaller American systems including Phoenix Ghost, CyberLux K8, Jump 20, Puma and Scan Eagle have previously been approved by the Pentagon, alongside Switchblade and Altius loitering munitions. But resistance to supplying larger or more capable systems like the MQ-9 has been consistent by US decision makers in face of Ukraine calling for more equipment to develop air superiority.
Operationally, MALE UAV’s would be of significant value to Kyiv based on being able to offer long range strikes and additional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. The only comparable system currently operated by Ukraine is the Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2.
Besides Ukraine matters, around 30 countries continue to show an interest in MQ-9B SkyGuardian UAVs, according to Walters. Belgium’s order for four aircraft will see first deliveries occur next year, he added, following the UK receiving a first of 16 earlier this month.
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