Japanese officials overturned plans to cancel the purchase of three RQ-4 Block 30i unmanned air vehicles in 2020 out of consideration for then President Donald Trump, who was promoting U.S. weapons exports.
Photo: Northrop Grumman
Kyodo news was told by a source who is familiar with the matter that Tokyo was worried that the cancelation would “anger Mr. Trump, who has insisted on exporting U.S.-made weapons.”
Japan’s first RQ-4B Global Hawk made its maiden flight on Apr. 15, 2021 from Palmdale, California.
The country was worried that the cost of maintaining the RQ-4 would rise as the U.S. Air Force plans to retire the model and spare parts will be hard to acquire due to a smaller fleet.
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