United States Approves Sale of MQ-9B Drones to Qatar in Multi-Billion Dollar Deal to Strengthen Defense (General Atomics)
The United States has approved the sale of eight MQ-9B drones to Qatar in a deal valued at $1.96 billion.
The package includes Hellfire missiles, guided bombs, electronic warfare systems, advanced radars, and communication equipment.
The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of the transaction on March 26, 2025.
This acquisition will enhance Qatar’s intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities, as well as improve its precision in military strikes. The U.S. government emphasized that the sale supports a strategic ally in the region, strengthens its territorial defense, and serves as a deterrent against local threats. The DSCA stated that Qatari forces will be able to easily integrate the new equipment.
The deal involves major defense companies such as General Atomics, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and RTX. Despite the high value of the transaction, the U.S. assured that the sale will not require additional troop deployments to Qatar nor affect U.S. military readiness.
Source: UK Defence Journal | Photo: General Atomics | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
US government today approved a potential $1.96 billion sale to Qatar of 8 MQ-9B unmanned aerial vehicles, which, if completed, would mark the first sale of the General Atomics-produced drones to the Middle East. The deal also includes hundreds of bombs along with scores of missiles pic.twitter.com/WmpooVN3Dd
— Valhalla (@ELMObrokenWings) March 27, 2025
