Germany, Italy looking to buy armed drones: Pentagon

Washington: Germany and Italy are seeking to buy MQ-9 Reapers, new armed drones that the United States recently began flying in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Pentagon said Monday.

In notifications to Congress, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said Germany request a possible sale of five of the unmanned combat aircraft while Italy was seeking four.

Both countries wanted the new drones "for the defense of deployed troops, regional security and interoperability with the United States," the agency said.

Known as a hunter-killer drone, the Reaper can carry four Hellfire missiles and two 500-pound laser guided bombs, and remain aloft tracking a target for long periods of time.

"This program will increase Italy's ability to contribut to future NATO, coalition, and anti-terrorism operations that the US may undertake," it said.

It put the value of a sale of the aircraft to Italy, which would include five years of maintenance support, at up to 330 million dollars.

A sale to Germany, with one year of maintenance support, was estimated to be worth 205 million dollars.

The DSCA said Germany has over 3,000 troops in Afghanistan.

"By acquiring this capability, Germany will be able to provide the same level of protection for its own forces as those of the United States," the agency said.