Spain orders two more MQ-9 Reaper drones.

After the United States approved the sale of four Reaper drone systems for Spain in 2015, General Atomics received an order for two MQ-9s.

MQ-9 Reaper drone (Picture source: General Atomics)

The US Defense Department notified General Atomics on March 29 of an order for two MQ-9 Reaper drones bound for Spain. This announcement follows an FMS (Foreign Military Sale) passed between the two states in 2015. A first order of MQ-9 Reaper was announced by the USA  in 2017 and already seemed to be focused on two drones.

According to the DoD announcement, the delivery of these two systems should be completed in March 2020. For its part, the Spanish Ejercito del Aire seemed to announce that three drone systems would be received in the course of 2019.

Thus, already last January, Spain announced to prepare the arrival of the first Predator, to be delivered during the second semester. These drones will be used to conduct ISR (Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) missions and will not carry weapons.

In addition to the MQ-9 Reaper, Spain is also involved in the European program  to develop a male drone in cooperation. The entry into service of the latter is expected by 2025. It will also be dedicated to observation and surveillance missions and will be able to carry weapons.