General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI), the U.S. manufacturer of Predator drones, has voiced concerns over losing global market share in drone sales to countries like China, Turkey, and Israel. GA-ASI CEO Linden Blue sent a letter to Elon Musk, in his capacity as co-head of the Department of Operational Guidance and Efficiency (DOGE), calling for significant reforms in the Pentagon’s contracting and export policies.
Blue specifically criticized U.S. restrictions, including a ban on selling advanced drones to Turkey due to political and security concerns, as well as broader issues with the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). These limitations, he argued, are allowing other nations to dominate the international drone market. Blue urged Musk to advocate for streamlining the U.S. Foreign Military Sales process, setting strict timelines, improving accountability, and revising the MTCR to allow easier export of unmanned aerial vehicles while maintaining controls on missile technologies tied to weapons of mass destruction.
Türkiye had wanted to buy drones from General Atomics but American congress did not allow in early 2000s. Türkiye then started local production and now has 65% in armed drones sector
