The United States has suspended the sale of the MQ-1C Gray Eagle reconnaissance and strike unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to Ukraine. This is reported by Reuters .
Agency sources said that objections to the supply of drones arose due to concerns that the radar and surveillance equipment on them could pose a threat to US security if they fall into the hands of Russia. It is noted that although the deal for the sale of four UAVs, worth $ 10 million each, was approved by the White House, it is now being reviewed by the Pentagon. The exact timing of the decision on this issue is unknown.
Difficulties with deliveries
Earlier, Politico, citing American officials, learned that the sale of Gray Eagle drones to Kiev is accompanied by various difficulties, in particular with training and logistics. According to the sources of the publication, even if the sale of four drones takes place in the next few weeks, the Ukrainian military will most likely not be able to use them on the front line for weeks or even months.
As noted by the expert of the Vertical Flight Society (formerly the American Helicopter Society — approx. "Tapes.ru") Dan Gettinger, using Gray Eagle requires ground infrastructure, secure communication channels and equipment. At the same time, theoretically, operators can control drones from outside Ukraine.
In addition, the Congress has the right to block the transfer of drones to Ukraine. American lawmakers have already demanded from Biden a report on the spending of $ 40 billion allocated to Ukraine, and threatened that if the White House cannot account for the amount of funds allocated and properly track thousands of weapons and military equipment, the next aid package may not receive support from the overwhelming majority of members of Congress.
"Grey Eagle"
The MQ-1C Gray Eagle reconnaissance and strike unmanned aerial vehicle was developed by General Atomics on the basis of the MQ-1 Predator drone. The high-tech two-ton device is able to stay in the air for up to 36 hours and reach speeds of up to 250 kilometers per hour. On four suspension points, the drone can carry AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-surface missiles or AIM-92 Stinger air-to-air missiles, or GBU-44/B Viper Strike bombs.
One MQ-1C Gray Eagle with weapons costs $ 20 million. The cost of one ammunition is estimated at about 150 thousand dollars.
Military observer Anton Lavrov believes that these drones are not capable of significantly changing the course of the Russian special military operation in Ukraine. He explained that the armament of the Gray Eagles is characterized by a short range, and drones need to overcome air defense systems to defeat protected targets. "It will be absolutely not a pity to spend an air defense missile or a fighter jet on a Gray Eagle worth $ 20 million," the expert pointed out.