A major US maker of advanced attack and reconnaissance drones has announced it is ready to sell two to Ukraine for just $1, urging the White House to approve the deal.
General Atomic Aeronautical Systems, according to a statement on Wednesday, has been urging Washington for months to provide Ukraine with its powerful Gray Eagle and Reaper drones, which US forces have used very effectively for surveillance and targeted attacks in Afghanistan, Syria , Iraq and other areas of military conflict.
The company noted that these drones, which can fly long distances at medium altitudes, have significant technological advantages that Ukraine needs in the fight against Russian aggression.
The Pentagon has provided Ukraine with several small strike and reconnaissance drones, but so far Kiev has not received anything like General Atomic’s advanced technology drones with significant range.
“As soon as the Russian invasion began, we started looking for options to meet the demands of the Ukrainian Armed Forces for our products, including the MQ-9 Reaper and the MQ-1C Gray Eagle,” said the general manager. from General Atomics, Linden Blue. .
According to him, the company offered to train the Ukrainian army for free in working with drones. Additionally, General Atomic is willing to donate two of its drones, along with a ground control station and other equipment, for a nominal $1.
At the same time, Ukraine will have to bear the costs of transporting drones and using them in a combat situation.
“It’s a great offer with no strings attached,” Blue said. – All that is required is US government approval. From our point of view, it is high time to give the Ukrainian forces the information superiority necessary to win this war.
