The United Kingdom is looking to spend upward of $1.07 billion for the sale of 10 General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI)-built Reaper Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) aircraft as well as associated equipment and services, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) reported recently.
In addition to the 10 MQ-9 UAVs, the United Kingdom is seeking five Ground Control Stations, nine Multi-Spectral Targeting Systems (MTS-B), nine AN/APY-8 Lynx Synthetic Aperture Radar/Ground Moving Target Indicator (SAR/GMTI) systems, three Satellite Earth Terminal Sub Stations (SETSS), 30 H764 Embedded Global Positioning System Inertial Navigation Systems, Lynx SAR and MTS-B spares, engineering support, test equipment, ground support, operational flight test support, communications equipment, technical assistance, personnel training/equipment, spare and repair parts, and other related elements of logistics support, according to DSCA.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Raytheon [RTN], and General Atomics Lynx Systems are the prime contractors.
The United Kingdom requests these capabilities to provide for the defense of deployed troops, regional security, and interoperability with the United States. This program will increase the United Kingdom’s ability to contribute to future NATO, coalition, and anti-terrorism operations that the United States may undertake.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not affect the basic military balance in the region. The United Kingdom will have no difficulty absorbing these aircraft into its armed forces, DSCA said.