Germany cleared to buy $2.5 billion in U.S. drones

The State Department has approved a potential $2.5 billion foreign military sale of four MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aircraft Systems to Germany, according to an announcement from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency.

Along with the four Triton systems, the sale would include one mission control station, one main operating base, one forward operating base and other associated equipment and support services.

The prime U.S. contractor, Northrop Grumman, would be responsible for integration, installation and functional platform compatibility testing, while Airbus Defence and Space, located in Germany, would be in charge of development, manufacturing, testing and installation.

"This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a NATO ally which has been, and continues to be, an important force for political and economic stability in Europe," DCSA states. "Germany is one of the major political and economic powers in Europe and NATO and a key partner of the United States in ensuring global peace and stability. The proposed sale of the MQ-4C Triton will support legitimate national security requirements and significantly enhance Germany's intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities and the overall collective security of the European Union and NATO."