Saudi Arabia is in advanced discussions with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) for the potential acquisition of up to 200 MQ-9B drones. If confirmed, this deal could become the largest international contract ever signed by the U.S. manufacturer. The project is part of a broader defense package estimated at $142 billion, announced by former President Donald Trump during his recent visit to the Gulf region. A GA-ASI spokesperson, C. Mark Brinkley, confirmed that MQ-9Bs are included in the proposed package, though the White House has not specified whether the deal would be processed through a Foreign Military Sale (FMS) or a Direct Commercial Sale (DCS).
Still under negotiation, the contract could create nearly 46,000 jobs in the United States and significantly enhance Saudi Arabia’s intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. The deal is expected to cover a mix of MQ-9B SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian drones. These medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) systems incorporate advanced technologies and meet NATO STANAG 4671 certification standards.
The MQ-9B SkyGuardian is designed for ISR operations in both civil and military airspace. It is powered by a Honeywell TPE331-10 turboprop engine and can fly for over 40 hours at altitudes above 12,000 meters. Its modular design supports a range of payloads, including high-definition electro-optical/infrared sensors, Lynx multi-mode radars, and dual SATCOM links for beyond-line-of-sight control. The drone offers an internal payload capacity of 800 pounds and can carry up to 4,750 pounds externally, spread across nine hard points for weapons or mission systems.