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Unmanned Systems

Belgium to Purchase Four MQ-9B SkyGuardian Drones for $600 Million

By Brian Garrett-Glaser

Tuesday, March 26th, 2019

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Belgium to Purchase Four MQ-9B SkyGuardian Drones for $600 Million

MQ-9B SkyGuardian. Photo: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems.

The State Department has approved the possible foreign military sale of four MQ-9B SkyGuardian unmanned aircraft and related equipment to NATO ally Belgium for an estimated cost of $600 million. The SkyGuardian, a variant of General Atomics’ MQ-9 Reaper, was developed in compliance with European flight regulations for international customers interested in medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) remotely-piloted aircraft. Belgium confirmed its selection of the aircraft in October of last year, describing them as “reconnaissance” assets, suggesting they won’t carry weapons. Belgian…

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