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be inoperable within months, and counties were trying to get rid that drone-makers were hoping for, but industry
of them, he said. “We have seen countries around the world leap experts believe that results are only a matter
at the chance to obtain high-tech, low-cost defensive capabilities of time.
only to see their significant investments crumble and rust in their
hands,” Cooper added. Tommy Dunehew, Vice President of International
Strategic Development for GA-ASI, is confident
The facts support Cooper’s statements. According to an August that the U.S. administration’s new UAS export
2019 report from the U.S. inspector-general, the Iraqi air force, policy would ultimately expand the list of coun-
which had a fleet of about 10 CH-4 drones, now has only one oper- tries authorized to receive UAS. “This will allow
ational drone, with the others grounded because of maintenance us to compete on a more even basis with coun- [UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS ]
issues. Jordan, which purchased CH-4s in 2016 after the Obama tries like China. We remain confident that our
administration turned down the country’s request for MQ-1s, have systems are far more capable and cost-effec-
put its six CH-4s up for sale. Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United tive than those of our competitors,” he says.
Arab Emirates also have CH-4 drones, even though their first pref- “While accession to non-proliferation
erence were U.S--made drones. regimes, such as the MTCR, is a factor when
the U.S. Government is reviewing a potential
arms transfer, the current administration has
made it clear through its UAS Export Policy
that RPAS are an important capability for Allies
and partner nations to acquire,” says Dunehew.
“The new UAS export policy was a significant
first step in normalizing the treatment of UAS
under U.S. export controls. While implemen-
tation of the policy remains slow, we believe
it will ultimately expand the list of countries
authorized to receive UAS, which will allow us
to compete on a more even basis with countries
like China. We remain confident that our sys-
tems are far more capable and cost-effective
than those of our competitors.”
GA-ASI is perhaps the company most
affected by the restrictions that continue to be
in place. The company manufactures the MQ-9
The CH-4 drones, much cheaper than American-made systems, Reaper, Gray Eagle, Gray Eagle Extended
are built by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Range, Predator XP, Predator C Avenger and
(CASTC) and bears a close resemblance to the General Atomics the certifiable MQ-9B. The UK Royal Air Force
Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI)-made MQ-9 Reaper armed (RAF) is acquiring the MQ-9B SkyGuardian
unmanned aerial vehicle. The lower price tag wasn’t the only reason as part of its Protector RG Mk1 program while
why countries such as Algeria, Nigeria, Jordan, Zambia, Iraq, Saudi Belgium Defence is currently in discussions
Arabia, Ethiopia, Turkmenistan, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, with the U.S. for the purchase of a SkyGuardian.
and Myanmar chose the system; the CH-4 has a maximum endur- The Australian Defence Force has also selected
ance of 14 hours and is capable of carrying up to 770 pounds of the SkyGuardian for its Project Air 7003. Other
munitions, including the Blue Arrow 7 laser-guided air-to-surface militaries such as India and Malaysia too are
missile, TG-100 laser, inertial or GPS-guided bombs, and the HJ-10 hoping to add GA-ASI drones to their arsenal.
anti-tank missile.
Growing Market
Cautious Optimism With the global military drone market set to
It has been two years since the Trump administration announced grow at a rapid pace over the next decade,
its UAS export policy, which seeks to increase trade opportunities American drone makers will be hoping that
for U.S. companies and allows them to compete on a fair basis with the tide turns in their favor soon. According to
international UAS manufacturers. Although the industry generally The Teal Group, global spending on unmanned
welcomed the changes, some the players were disappointed that aerial vehicles will expand substantially in the
the policy did not reinterpret the “strong presumption of denial” coming decade with militaries investing as
clause in the Missile Technology Control Regime, an international much as US$98 billion in new intelligence
arms control agreement among 35 nations that governs the export gathering and strike capabilities. Worldwide
of missiles and drones. If the industry had its wish granted, Trump research-and-development and procurement
would have provided in the policy a “presumption of approval” for spending on drones is expected to rise from
allies and partners in Europe, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific a projected $11.1 billion in 2020 to $14.3 billion
region. The new regulations have not had the immediate impact by 2029, an increase of close to 30 per cent.

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