IRIA News

The United States has given initial approval for the sale of eight MQ-9B drones to the State of Qatar, marking a significant shift in its regional policy and accelerating defense cooperation between the two nations.

The deal, valued at $1.96 billion, was announced on March 27, 2025, by the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA). It represents a milestone in Qatar’s years-long effort to acquire the advanced unmanned aircraft.

“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country that continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East,” the DSCA said in a statement.

The deal includes hundreds of bombs and missiles to arm the drones, along with satellite communications equipment to operate the unmanned systems. After the approval from the U.S. State Department, the deal will now move to the U.S. Congress for final approval. Lawmakers have the authority to review and potentially block such sales, though this is considered unlikely given the strategic importance of Qatar in regional affairs.

A long-sought deal

Qatar has been actively pursuing the purchase of MQ-9B drones for several years. Although the Gulf nation has played a crucial diplomatic role for the United States, acting as an intermediary with the Taliban, Iran, and Hamas, it was unable to secure approval for the drones under the Biden administration. That administration exercised caution regarding advanced arms sales in the region, particularly given ongoing tensions with Iran and concerns over drone proliferation.

The sudden approval under the returning Trump administration marks a dramatic shift. President Donald Trump had initially supported a four-nation blockade against Qatar during his first term in office. That boycott, led by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Egypt, accused Qatar of supporting terrorism, an allegation that Doha has consistently denied. Despite the earlier tensions, U.S.-Qatar relations have since normalized, with this arms deal signifying a new phase of strategic cooperation.

Advanced capabilities of the MQ-9B

The MQ-9B drone is manufactured by the U.S.-based defense giant, General Atomics. It is a next-generation unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with both land and maritime variants. Each drone is estimated to cost around $30 million and can fly at altitudes above 12,100 meters with an endurance exceeding 30 hours. The aircraft can be equipped with precision-guided munitions, making it suitable for a range of reconnaissance and combat missions.

The drone has been widely deployed by the U.S. military and CIA in counterterrorism operations across Afghanistan, Iraq, and Yemen. Its inclusion in Qatar’s arsenal is expected to bolster Doha’s surveillance and strike capabilities, enhancing regional security operations and intelligence-gathering.

Strategic implications

The U.S. approval for Qatar’s purchase of the MQ-9B drones comes amid broader geopolitical maneuvering in the Gulf. The UAE, a close ally of the Trump administration, has been awaiting approval for a separate deal involving up to 18 MQ-9 drones and F-35 fighter jets since 2020. Despite signing the Abraham Accords with Israel during Trump’s first term, the UAE has not yet received full delivery of its requested hardware.

The new sale to Qatar raises questions about the future of U.S. arms sales in the region and whether Washington is seeking to balance power among Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members. With Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar all vying for regional influence, the timing and scale of arms deals can carry significant political weight.

Qatar, for its part, has become the second-largest buyer of American military equipment in the region after Saudi Arabia. To date, it has spent over $26 billion on U.S. defense hardware, including F-15 fighter jets, Apache helicopters, and advanced missile defense systems. The new drone sale further deepens that relationship.

Regional Reactions and Outlook

Qatar’s government has yet to issue an official statement on the approval. However, analysts believe the move will be welcomed in Doha as a recognition of the country’s growing military and diplomatic stature. It also reaffirms Qatar’s long-standing security partnership with the United States, which includes hosting the Al Udeid Air Base, the largest U.S. military installation in the Middle East.

Critics, however, caution that increasing the proliferation of armed drones in the region could escalate tensions, particularly with Iran, whose relations with both the U.S. and its Gulf neighbors remain strained. There are also concerns about the long-term implications of providing advanced strike capabilities to a wider range of actors in an already volatile region.

For now, the U.S. government appears committed to strengthening Qatar’s defense posture. With congressional approval pending, the delivery and deployment of the MQ-9B drones could begin within the next two to three years, solidifying Qatar’s place among the top-tier military powers in the Gulf.

As the strategic chessboard of the Middle East continues to evolve, the U.S.-Qatar drone deal is a clear indicator of shifting alliances and priorities in Washington’s foreign policy playbook.