More MQ-9A Block 5 Reapers for Dutch Air Force

The Netherlands has received U.S.’ nod to buy four MQ-9A Block 5 drones with related equipment and support for over $600 million.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

This contract would also cover delivery of three UAV MQ-9 Mobile Ground Control Systems, up to 30 Embedded Global Positioning Systems/Internal Navigation Systems (EGI) devices, Airborne, with Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) or M-Code; up to 8 AN/DAS-4 Multi-Spectral Targeting Systems; up to 20 Lynx AN/APY-8 Synthetic Aperture Radars, Reaper Engines; Selex Seaspray Synthetic Aperture Radars; SeaVue Maritime Radars; M299 Hellfire Longbow missile launchers; and related equipment and support. The estimated total cost is $611 million.

The Netherlands bought four MQ-9 Reaper Block 5 UAS in July 2018. Last month, it said it will modify its reconnaissance Reapers to carry laser-guided GBU bombs and air-to-surface Hellfire missiles. The modification and weapons procurement is expected to cost between $100-250 million.

Initial deployment of the armed drones is expected by 2025, and full deployment three years later.