Canada Approved to Buy Radar, Missiles, Bombs for MQ-9B Drone

The U.S. State Department has granted approval for the sale of advanced radar systems and weaponry worth $313.4 million to Canada, intended for integration into their MQ-9B combat drones.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has formally certified and notified Congress of this potential transaction today.

Canada has submitted a request to acquire a package that includes:

• 12 AN/APY-8 Lynx Synthetic Aperture radars
• 219 AGM-114R2 Hellfire II missiles
• 18 KMU-572 tail kits designed for the GBU-38 Joint Direct-Attack Munition (JDAM) and GBU-54 Laser JDAM (LJDAM)
• 12 Mk82 500-lb General Purpose (GP) bombs
• 6 Mk82 Filled Inert bombs
• Along with associated equipment and support.

The proposed sale will improve Canada’s capability to meet current and future threats by enabling unmanned surveillance and reconnaissance patrols of its northern arctic territories. It will also enable Canada to optimally fulfill its North American Aerospace Defense (NORAD) and NATO missions while increasing interoperability with U.S. and NATO forces, the DSCA said in a press release.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, headquartered in Poway, California, will serve as the primary contractor for this transaction.