State Department Clears $88M MQ-9 Sensor Pod FMS Deal With France

The State Department has agreed to sell up to eight communications intelligence sensor pod suites for MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicles to France for approximately $88 million.

The potential foreign military sale will expand a previous transaction with the French government for five pod suites and related equipment worth $71 million, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said Friday.

France also requested to purchase consumables and accessories; engineering, technical and logistics support services; ground handling equipment; publications and technical documentation support; secure communications and cryptographic devices; software and support services; as well as spares and repair parts.

BAE Systems will serve as the principal contractor while MQ-9 drone manufacturer General Atomics will perform integration work.

The French military employs its fleet of MQ-9 UAVs to conduct intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions in support of coalition operations. The government does not foresee any difficulty in integrating the said equipment into the armed forces.

The State Department recently approved a potential $300 million FMS deal with France for follow-on contractor logistics support services and related equipment for the country’s MQ-9 fleet.

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