US eases export rules on military drones to advance competitiveness

WASHINGTON

The Trump administration eased restrictions Monday on US drone exports to boost competitiveness and speed up foreign sales, the State Department announced.

Under the policy update, unmanned aerial systems (UAS) will be reviewed like fighter jets such as F-16s rather than missile systems, loosening longstanding limits under the 1987 Missile Technology Control Regime.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio approved the reinterpretation as part of wider arms sales reforms mandated by President Donald Trump in an April 9 executive order.

“This policy shift supports the President’s objective to maintain the world’s strongest and most technologically advanced military through a dynamic defense industrial base and a robust network of capable partners and allies,” the State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs said.

“By treating arms transfer reviews of UAS in a similar manner to manned fighter aircraft, the Department will be able to more efficiently adjudicate foreign defense sales requests, opening new markets for the U.S. UAS industry,” it added.