U.S. reopens Reaper exports: MTCR shift puts Saudi MQ‑9 buy in play

Washington is set to reopen the Reaper export door—with a triple‑digit Saudi order waiting in the queue.

The United States is preparing to expand exports of heavy attack drones by reinterpreting the 1987 Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), enabling Foreign Military Sales of MQ‑9 Reaper–class systems to U.S. partners, according to Reuters.

Policy change reframes drones as aircraft

The shift would treat large unmanned aircraft as “aircraft like the F‑16,” not missile systems, removing the long‑standing “strong presumption of denial” that has constrained U.S. drone transfers under MTCR rules. This reframing is intended to streamline approvals under the State Department’s Foreign Military Sales process while maintaining end‑use and human‑rights vetting.

A U.S. official told Reuters the new guidelines are intended to make the United States “the premier drone provider instead of ceding that space to Turkey and China,” underscoring how the reinterpretation targets long‑lost deals to rivals operating under looser export regimes.

Saudi request for 100+ MQ‑9s in play

One of the earliest transactions enabled by the reinterpretation could be a Saudi request for more than 100 MQ‑9s submitted in spring 2025, potentially tied to a broader arms package announced earlier this year. Interest has also been signaled by U.S. allies in Europe and the Pacific, reflecting renewed demand for long‑endurance, weapon‑capable UAVs.

In May 2025, Washington announced an arms package with Saudi Arabia valued at roughly $142 billion; officials now see the MTCR reinterpretation as the step that could allow the kingdom’s spring request for more than 100 MQ‑9s to move through the Foreign Military Sales channel

Pressure from Israel, China, and Türkiye

American manufacturers have been losing overseas deals to Israeli, Chinese, and Turkish suppliers that operate with fewer treaty constraints or under different thresholds. The policy aim is to keep U.S. industry competitive in Reaper‑class segments while allied air forces modernize around networked ISR and precision‑strike capabilities.

What still applies under FMS

Even with the reinterpretation, all sales would remain subject to standard U.S. government reviews, including regional stability, end‑use monitoring, technology‑security protections, and buyers’ human‑rights records. Timing for formal guidance has not been announced, with officials describing the change as part of a broader update to the Foreign Military Sales program.

Next‑gen teaming drones

The move is also timed to benefit development of jet‑engine drones designed to operate as “loyal wingmen” alongside piloted fighters—an emerging market where speed, autonomy, and seamless integration into U.S.‑aligned command‑and‑control architectures are decisive for partners.

DroneXL’s Take

Reclassifying Reaper‑class UAVs as aircraft could reset the global drone export landscape and help U.S. firms reclaim market share without abandoning safeguards. The open question is whether faster approvals can coexist with airtight technology security and end‑use controls in volatile regions. Share perspectives in the comments: does treating heavy drones as aircraft strike the right balance between allied capability and proliferation risk?

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia