Washington, September 5, 2025 — In a bold policy shift, President Donald Trump plans to reinterpret a 1987 arms control stipulation—specifically, the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR)—to facilitate the export of advanced military drones like the MQ-9 Reaper to foreign partners. Under this proposed change, drones would be considered akin to conventional aircraft rather than restricted missile systems, effectively bypassing decades-old export constraints.
This reinterpretation would unlock a wave of drone exports as part of a broader US$142 billion arms package potentially including more than 100 Reaper systems destined for Saudi Arabia. Other U.S. allies in Europe and the Pacific have also signaled interest. The new designation would allow drone manufacturers—including General Atomics, Kratos, and Anduril—to route sales through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, streamlining approval via the State Department.
The move is seen as an attempt to counter global competition from drone producers in Israel, China, and Turkey, where fewer restrictions have helped those countries rapidly capture international markets. Trump’s proposal is the first phase in a comprehensive re-evaluation of U.S. military export policy.
However, critics warn that easing rules around lethal drones risks fueling conflict and undermining global efforts at arms control and human rights oversight—particularly in unstable regions.
