U.S. Signs Off on $1.96B Armed MQ-9B Drone Package for Qatar

The U.S. State Department has approved a potential Foreign Military Sale of MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft and related equipment to Qatar, valued at approximately $1.96 billion.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has notified Congress of the possible sale.

Qatar has requested eight MQ-9B drones equipped with advanced surveillance, targeting, and strike capabilities. The package includes 200 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) tail kits, 300 general-purpose bombs, 110 AGM-114R2 Hellfire II missiles, and various electronic warfare, intelligence, and communication systems.

The MQ-9B drones will enhance Qatar’s intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations, counter-land and counter-surface sea capabilities, and homeland defense.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Lockheed Martin, RTX Corporation, L3Harris, Boeing, and Leonardo SpA will be the principal contractors for the deal.