Biden planning to sell Ukraine more drones, hellfire missiles

President Joe Biden is planning to sell more drones to Ukraine. Three people familiar with the situation said the White House is planning to announce the sale in the coming days.

The latest plan to arm Ukraine includes selling the embattled country four MQ-1C Gray Eagles, the U.S. Army’s version of what most call the “Predator Drone.”

An MQ-1C can fly for up to 30 hours depending on its mission and certain variables. While in flight, the drone can gather intelligence on enemy troop movements, capabilities and positions.

Gray Eagles can also carry up to eight hellfire missiles. Hellfires are air-to-ground, laser-guided missiles designed for precision strikes against armored targets. They can also be used as an air-to-air weapon against helicopters or slow-moving fixed-wing aircraft.

The Biden Administration’s plans to sell the Gray Eagles to Ukraine is subject to Congressional approval, and there’s always the possibility the White House changes course.

Arming Ukraine’s military with weaponry like Gray Eagles is a leap technologically. It would put an advanced reusable U.S. weapons system, capable of multiple deep strikes on the battlefield, against Russia for the first time.

Training on the UAV system made by General Atomics usually takes months, but sources with knowledge of the deal say there’s a notional plan to train experienced Ukrainian maintainers and operators in a handful of weeks.

Up until now, the Biden Administration insisted smaller drones and shoulder-fired missiles like javelins and stingers were the best way to counter Russia’s invasion.

Reuters contributed to this report.