Germany Abandons $2.5 Billion Purchase of US Triton Drones

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Berlin’s Federal Ministry of Defense has opted to purchase three Bombardier Global 6000 jets and abandon its plan to buy four US-made MQ-4C Triton aerial surveillance drones.

Germany announced Tuesday that after months of deliberation, the ministry of defense has decided to forego its initial efforts to install a new reconnaissance system on Northrop Grumman’s Triton drones and will instead fix the eavesdropping sensors to Canadian firm Bombardier’s manned Global 6000 jets, according to the Associated Press.

A spokeswoman with the ministry told Defense News that the estimated $2.5 billion Triton option, which was approved by the US State Department in April 2018, had grown “significantly more expensive” when compared to earlier assumptions and would not be delivered until 2025.

Additionally, opting for a manned aircraft provides Berlin with the ability to not worry about meeting European Aviation Safety Agency guidelines concerning the safety of operating unmanned aircraft alongside conventional air traffic.

Germany’s announcement comes shortly after the US Navy’s Seventh Fleet issued a Monday press release confirming two MQ-4C Tritons had arrived at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam the night prior. According to the service, the UAVs will assist other intelligence assets, such as the P-8A Poseidon and P-3 Orion, in maritime patrol and reconnaissance efforts in the Western Pacific.

Sourse: sputniknews.com

Germany Abandons $2.5 Billion Purchase of US Triton Drones

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