US suspends deal to sell drones to Ukraine

A US plan to sell four MQ-1C Gray Eagle drones to Ukraine has been put on hold due to concerns that the complex

surveillance equipment could fall into Russian hands, according to two people familiar with the matter, Reuters reports. Discuss

The objection to the sale was raised during a review by the Pentagon's Defense Technology Security Administration, which is responsible for safeguarding expensive technology.

Objections to the export of drones have arisendue to concerns that the radar and intelligence equipment on the drones “could pose a threat to US security” if they fall into Russian hands, the publication reports. Sources said that this consideration was not taken into account at the initial consideration, but surfaced at meetings at the Pentagon late last week.

Deciding whether to continue or not to continueThe deal is now being reviewed by higher Pentagon officials, but no timeline has been set for any decision, one U.S. official said on condition of anonymity.

The cost of each Gray Eagle drone is $10 million, according to Army budget documents.