Ukraine is negotiating the purchase of MQ-9 Reaper strike drones
Ukraine is negotiating the purchase of heavy-duty American drones MQ-9 Reaper.
This was reported by Forbes.
Last week, Ukrainian officials met in Washington with California-based General Atomics. Although the US government should approve any such sale, it is likely that the talks with General Atomics took place under the “green light” of the Biden administration.
With the support of the US government, these drones could be in the hands of Ukrainian military pilots in a matter of days, said company spokesman Mark Brinkley.
Although the developer did not specify the model of the UAV, which interested Ukraine, the publication believes that this is probably a time-tested Reaper.
MQ-9 Reaper – modular reconnaissance and strike UAVs of the US Army. Equipped with a turboprop engine that allows you to develop speeds over 400 km / h.
The drone has six suspension points. It can carry up to 4 air-to-ground missiles, or up to 8 in the MQ-9A modification, or 4 Hellfire missiles and two Mark 82 laser-guided bombs.
Experts believe that MQ-9 could dramatically change the course of the war. Compared to Bayraktar, experts call the MQ-9 more durable in flight and less vulnerable to Russian fire.
“The Turkish drone has to operate close enough to the front line, which makes it more vulnerable to Russian air and missile strikes from airfields. However, the MQ-9 has a range from safer bases.” — in the material.
The MQ-9 will have enough range to strike at Russian military facilities in Russia itself, including Moscow itself.
Such drones require a year of military training, but General Atomics is confident that they will be able to quickly teach the use of Ukrainian fighters.
