US Approves $1.2 Billion Surveillance Drones To Japan

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency has approved $1.2 billion sale of high-altitude, long-endurance drones and related equipment to Japan.

“The proposed sale of the RQ-4 [drones] will significantly enhance Japan’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities and help ensure that Japan is able to continue to monitor and deter regional threats,” the press release stated. “The total estimated value is $1.2 billion,” DSCA said in a statement Friday.

The government of Japan requested to purchase three Global Hawk drones, eight Kearfott navigation systems, eight global positioning systems, as well as other support equipment, according to the press release.

Northrop Grumman Corporation from Rancho Bernardo, California will be the principal contractor for the drone production.