Washington is considering the transfer of MQ-9 Reaper tactical drones to Ukraine.

Ukraine can receive MQ-9 Reaper attack drones within a few days, capable of delivering strikes from high altitudes against various land and sea targets at distances up to 28 kilometers. Tactical weapons, according to the American authorities, will significantly expand the capabilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine when delivering strikes. At the same time, the management of General Atomics, which manufactures and delivers these drones, confirmed its readiness to cooperate with Ukraine.

It is known that last week Ukrainian officials met in Washington with the leadership of General Atomics, a Californian manufacturer of military drones, including the MQ-9 Reaper, the main reconnaissance and strike UAV of the US Air Force. While the US government had to approve any sale, it is unlikely that such talks between Ukraine and the US defense contractor would have taken place without a green light from the Biden administration.

“Now we have drones ready for immediate transfer. With the support of the US government, these drones could be in the hands of the Ukrainian military in a matter of days.”Mark Brinkley said.

General Atomics noted that they already have experience in quickly delivering the MQ-9 to other countries.

“In the past, we have worked with the US government to send MQ-9 Reapers to a partner country in less than 30 days. The logistic footprint can be minimal and also much smaller than what people associate with the US UAV logistic footprint.”Brinkley said.

The transfer of such weapons will be considered a direct confrontation with Russia, since, for obvious reasons, such drones will be controlled by the US military, since the Armed Forces of Ukraine do not have specialists capable of controlling such UAVs.

“If the United States decides to take such drastic and provocative steps, Russia will certainly perceive this as a confrontation, and in this case, the airspace of Ukraine may already begin to be completely controlled by Russian air defense systems,” - Avia.pro specialist notes.