Pentagon announced that Northrop Grumman has won a $130 million contract to provide Japan with three Global Hawk drones.

Northrop Grumman has received a contract valued at more than $130 million to provide Japan with three Global Hawk drones, the US Defense Department said in a press release.

“Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems, San Diego, California, has been awarded a $130,469,576 contract for the Japan Global Hawk program,” the release said.

“This contract includes long lead material to initiate the program for three global hawk block 30 (I) air vehicles, two ground control elements, enhanced integrated sensor suite, spares, and a site survey.”

The Japan Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicles are intended to the country with additional surveillance capabilities to monitor North Korean military movements.

Work will be performed in San Diego, California, and is expected to be complete by July 27, 2018m the release added.

According to earlier reports, Japan is planning to develop its own unmanned surveillance vehicle as well as a jet fighter drone.