The California company that produces the Predator drone has joined forces with General Dynamics Canada to pitch the American-made UAV to the Canadian military.

General Atomics’ Aeronautical Systems unit has signed a memorandum of understanding with General Dynamics, Canada’s largest defense contractor, to offer GA’s Predator B UAV to “meet the Canadian government’s surveillance needs.”

“(Our) establishment of a working relationship with General Dynamics Canada represents a strategic commitment by both companies to help Canada strengthen its domestic security and sovereignty, as well as its defense operations overseas,” said General Atomics’ Thomas Cassidy.

It is more than patriotism that drives the GA-GD alliance:. The Canadian military is preparing to spend $429 million to acquire UAVs over the next four years under the JUSTAS, the Joint Unmanned Surveillance Target Acquisition System program.

The goal of the program is to equip Canadian troops with a fleet of drones that can perform reconnaissance missions in support of military operations overseas, and fly long-range surveillance missions over Canada’s vast and sparsely populated coast.

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