Qatar’s Maritime Capabilities Set to Soar with SeaGuardian Acquisition

As interest in military unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) surges across the world,  Qatar looks set to become the first country in the Middle East to join the exclusive list of nations that operate the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS).

The proposed sale of nine U.S.-made medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) MQ-9B drones to Qatar comes at a time when the defence relationship between the two countries is on the upswing. A formal agreement was signed in May 2025, but specific delivery dates are yet to be made public. The drones, which are known for its multi-mission capabilities as well as exceptional long range and endurance, will provide Qatar with advanced Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) and strike capabilities for land and maritime threats. The contract is significant for the California-based company as it marks its entry into the lucrative Middle Eastern defence market.

Maritime Powerhouse

Qatar is expected to receive the SeaGuardian, the maritime variant of the MQ-9B that is equipped with the Leonardo Seaspray 7500 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar. In March last year, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced Foreign Military Sales (FMS) approval for a US$1.96 billion contract to the country involving the sale of eight MQ-9B RPAs with surface search maritime radars, ground control stations, air-to-surface weapons, as well as training and support.

According to GA-ASI, the SeaGuardian is the first RPAS in its class to enable real-time search and patrol above and below the ocean’s surface. The aircraft is designed to fly over the horizon via satellite for over 30 hours, and as high as over 40,000 feet, in all types of weather. It can be safely fly and be integrated into civil airspace, enabling joint forces and civil authorities to deliver real-time situational awareness anywhere in the maritime domain - day or night.

The aircraft can integrate a centerline wide-area maritime radar, an automatic identification system, electronic support measures, and a self-contained anti-submarine warfare (ASW) mission kit. In its standard maritime ISR and ASW configuration, SeaGuardian’s range encompasses a mission radius of 1200 nautical miles with significant on-station time for submarine prosecution, providing a low-cost, stand-alone capability or a complement to human-crewed aircraft for manned-unmanned teaming operations.

Interest in the SeaGuardian is not limited to Qatar. Saudi Arabia, and the UAE  are also keen on acquiring the MQ-9B naval variant. During the last few days of his first term as President, Donald Trump had approved a US $23.37 billion arms package for UAE  that included up to 18 MQ-9B RPAS, 50 F-35 Lighting II aircraft, as well as air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions. The deal was placed on hold for review by the Biden administration soon after he took office, and then approved, but discussions stalled. The deal sprung back to life after President Trump assumed office for the second time, mainly because the two countries now consider the MQ-9B sale separate from the possible F-35 contract. Discussions are also reportedly ongoing for the potential sale of as many as 130 MQ-9Bs as well as 200 Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CAA) to Saudi Arabia.

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Qatar’s Maritime Capabilities Set to Soar with SeaGuardian Acquisition

As interest in military unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) surges across the world,  Qatar looks set to become the first country in the Middle East to join the exclusive list of nations that operate the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS).

The proposed sale of nine U.S.-made medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) MQ-9B drones to Qatar comes at a time when the defence relationship between the two countries is on the upswing. A formal agreement was signed in May 2025, but specific delivery dates are yet to be made public. The drones, which are known for its multi-mission capabilities as well as exceptional long range and endurance, will provide Qatar with advanced Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) and strike capabilities for land and maritime threats. The contract is significant for the California-based company as it marks its entry into the lucrative Middle Eastern defence market.

Maritime Powerhouse

Qatar is expected to receive the SeaGuardian, the maritime variant of the MQ-9B that is equipped with the Leonardo Seaspray 7500 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar. In March last year, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced Foreign Military Sales (FMS) approval for a US$1.96 billion contract to the country involving the sale of eight MQ-9B RPAs with surface search maritime radars, ground control stations, air-to-surface weapons, as well as training and support.

According to GA-ASI, the SeaGuardian is the first RPAS in its class to enable real-time search and patrol above and below the ocean’s surface. The aircraft is designed to fly over the horizon via satellite for over 30 hours, and as high as over 40,000 feet, in all types of weather. It can be safely fly and be integrated into civil airspace, enabling joint forces and civil authorities to deliver real-time situational awareness anywhere in the maritime domain - day or night.

Interest in the SeaGuardian is not limited to Qatar. Saudi Arabia, and the UAE  are also keen on acquiring the MQ-9B naval variant.