Netherlands orders additional MQ-9A Reapers
On 21 August 2023, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) confirmed that the Koninklijke Luchtmacht, KLu, Royal Netherlands Air Force) has doubled the number of MQ-9A Block 5 Reaper Unmanned Combat Aerial System (UCAS) from four to eight.
Scramble Magazine first reported on the additional order in June 2022, when the Defence Note 2022 was presented by the Dutch Minister of Defence, Kajsa Ollongren, to the Parliament. The Note mentioned the order for four additional MQ-9A Reapers and also included the statement that all Reapers will be armed.
The new Reapers will also be operated by 306 Squadron with their home at Leeuwarden air base. The order for the additional MQ-9As include three MQ-9A Mobile Ground Control Systems (GCS) and is valued at US 611 million.
Photo by Ministerie van Defensie