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France Extends MQ-9 Reaper Operational Life While Awaiting Eurodrone.
On December 18, 2024, the French Air Force announced the signing of an amended $48.5 million contract with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) for the maintenance of its MQ-9 Reaper fleet. This contract, part of the existing FA8689-22-C-2017 agreement and the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, ensures the operational readiness of France's unmanned aerial systems (UAS) through December 31, 2025. Managed by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, this agreement reflects the strategic cooperation between the United States and France in advanced defense technologies.
French MQ-9 Reaper Surveillance Drone (Picture source: French MoD)
The contract encompasses a wide range of maintenance services, including logistical support, software updates, and the upkeep of the aircraft's sensors and structures. Work will be carried out in Poway, California, and in France to ensure the operational availability of the MQ-9 Reapers, essential for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. The funding, entirely provided through the FMS program, underscores the importance of this collaboration in maintaining France's technological and military capabilities.
Since entering service in 2014, France's MQ-9 Reapers have played a pivotal role in critical operations, particularly in the Sahel region as part of Operation Barkhane. With their advanced ISR capabilities, these drones provide vital support to ground forces and enhance situational awareness in complex environments. This new maintenance contract ensures the continuity of these essential operations while reinforcing the MQ-9's reputation as a reliable and versatile platform in modern conflicts.
France began acquiring MQ-9 Reaper drones in 2013 under an initial €670 million contract with the United States via the FMS program. The agreement included the purchase of 12 MQ-9 Block 1 drones and associated systems, such as ground control stations, sensors, and secure communication equipment. The goal was to address an urgent need for ISR capabilities to support military operations, including Operation Serval in Mali. The first Reapers were deployed in 2014 from the Niamey airbase in Niger, where they were used for surveillance and precision strike missions in the Sahel region. Since then, these drones have logged thousands of flight hours, confirming their central role in France's counterterrorism strategy and multinational operations in Africa.
The MQ-9 Reaper is a versatile drone designed for long-endurance, high-altitude missions, combining advanced ISR capabilities with precision strike options. While French drones were initially used solely for surveillance missions, armament was authorized in 2020, allowing the integration of AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and GBU-12 Paveway II guided bombs. With an endurance exceeding 27 hours and a payload capacity of 1,746 kg, the Reaper can now conduct precision strikes in direct support of ground operations. Its sensor system includes the Multi-Spectral Targeting System (MTS-B), enabling electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) surveillance, laser designation, and real-time video capture. Additionally, the Lynx synthetic aperture radar (SAR) provides ground target detection and tracking capabilities, even in adverse weather conditions. Through its Ku-band satellite link, the Reaper can be remotely controlled over vast distances while transmitting real-time ISR data to ground units or command centers. This evolution in the use of French MQ-9s marks a significant advancement in their operational role, combining cutting-edge surveillance capabilities with lethal strike power.
France has developed a robust industry in reconnaissance drones, although its domestic platforms are still maturing compared to systems like the American MQ-9 Reaper. Historically, France has relied primarily on foreign acquisitions to meet immediate needs for medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) drones, such as the Reaper, to address urgent operational requirements. However, the country is actively investing in national and European programs to reduce this dependency and strengthen its strategic autonomy.
The flagship project underway is the European MALE Drone System (Eurodrone), conducted in collaboration with Germany, Italy, and Spain and coordinated by Airbus. Expected to enter service by 2029, the Eurodrone aims to provide a European alternative to the MQ-9 Reaper, with comparable ISR capabilities and the potential for armament integration.
Simultaneously, French industries such as Dassault Aviation, Airbus Defence and Space, and Thales are working on advanced technologies, including stealth drones, mini-drones for tactical missions, and autonomous intelligence-gathering platforms. For example, Dassault is developing demonstrators like the Neuron, a stealth combat drone aimed at exploring technologies for future autonomous drone systems.
Despite these advancements, France remains in a development phase to achieve full independence in the MALE drone segment. Current projects highlight a clear commitment to enhancing national and European capabilities to compete with the American and Israeli systems that currently dominate the global market.
Nevertheless, France faces criticism for its lag in military drone development. Recent conflicts, including in Ukraine, have underscored the critical importance of drones on the battlefield, exposing gaps in the French industry. This realization has led to increased efforts to close the gap, with a planned €5 billion investment in drones by 2030 as part of the military programming law.