(Dan Tri) – US media revealed the type of weapons that Ukraine most wants to receive aid from Washington at the present time.
An MQ-9 Reaper UAV (Photo: Politico).
Ukraine has become increasingly interested in the US-made MQ-9 Reaper reconnaissance drone and has put it at the top of its aid request list in recent months, Politico reported.
Ukraine has increased its interest in these drones as Kiev plans to counterattack Russia in the summer.
Since the early days of the war, Ukraine has expressed its desire to receive US aid from the MQ-9 Reaper to attack and monitor Russian targets.
On the other hand, recently, Ukraine is mainly interested in using the Reaper only to perform reconnaissance missions, four sources familiar with the matter said.
Politico said the US is still hesitant to provide the MQ-9 Reaper because of concerns that Russia could shoot them down.
Since early last year, General Atomics CEO Linden Blue said he offered to sell the Ukrainian government two MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for $1.
Although it only costs 1 USD to buy 2 UAVs, to be able to operate the MQ-9, Kiev will have to pay 10 million USD for the preparation and transportation of this UAV to Ukraine.
However, this proposal has not yet been approved by the US government and Congress.
The MQ-9 is a powerful heavy weapon.
The MQ-9 has a wingspan of 20 meters and weighs about 5.5 tons when fully loaded with fuel and weapons.
Currently, the MQ-9 Reaper predator assassin is equipped with AGM-114 Hellfire anti-tank guided missiles, GBU-12 Paveway II laser-controlled bombs, and AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles.
The secret behind the MQ-9’s capabilities is the C-type multi-spectral targeting system made by Raytheon.
In 2022, a bipartisan group of US lawmakers called on the Pentagon to provide Ukraine with modern drones.
At that time, US media said that Washington was still hesitant because of concerns about escalating tensions if it transferred to Kiev a modern weapon like the MQ-9.
