The United States has approved a $14.3-million contract modification awarding General Atomics Aeronautical Systems continued responsibility for sustaining the Italian Air Force’s MQ-9 unmanned aircraft fleet. The funding supports logistics, software maintenance, and readiness activities under an existing Foreign Military Sales agreement. Work will be conducted across facilities in the United States, Italy, and Kuwait, with completion expected by early 2027. Italy has operated MQ-9 aircraft for more than a decade, initially in an unarmed surveillance role before expanding capabilities through US-approved upgrades. The sustainment effort ensures the Italian MQ-9 fleet remains available for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and related missions.
