
WASHINGTON: A major US manufacturer of advanced military surveillance drones said that it was willing to sell Ukraine for $1 and urged the US government to approve the transaction.
General Atomic Aeronautical Systems said it has been pleading with Washington for months to equip Ukraine with its powerful Grey Eagle and Reaper drones, which have been deployed extensively by US forces in surveillance and targeted assaults over Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, and other conflict zones.
The drones, which can fly long distances at mid-altitudes, are one of the most evident, force-enhancing technologies that Ukraine requires in its struggle against Russian soldiers, according to the statement.
“From the start of the Russian invasion, we looked for ways to respond to Ukrainian troops’ requests using our equipment, including the MQ-9 Reaper and MQ-1C Gray Eagle,” General Atomics CEO Linden Blue said in a statement.
According to him, the business has offered to educate Ukrainian operators at no expense to either the US or Ukrainian governments.
In addition, the corporation was prepared to send over two of its own training planes, as well as a ground control station and other hardware, for a symbolic $1.
He stated that Ukraine or someone else would be responsible for outfitting and transferring the aircraft, as well as putting up the operation to place them in the air over the conflict.
“The offer is a fantastic price with no strings attached,” Blue explained.
“All that is required is US government approval.”
“It is long past time, in our opinion, to provide Ukrainian forces with the information dominance essential to win this battle,” he stated.