WASINGTON: The United Arab Emirates is close to signing a deal worth over $197 million to buy Predator drones from a San Diego County defence contractor, Los Angeles Times reported on Monday.

The agreement would mark the first time a non-Nato country has obtained the American-made technology, which has reshaped modern warfare.

The LA Times said under the proposed sale, revealed this week at a defence conference in Abu Dhabi and confirmed on Friday, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. of Poway will sell an undisclosed number of the robotic aircraft to the UAE armed forces for $197 million.