The Netherlands to arm MQ-9A Reaper reconnaissance drones with AGM-114 Hellfire II missiles and GBU-12 bombs

The Dutch MQ-9A Reaper drones will be armed with missiles and bombs. This was announced Tuesday by Defence Minister Christophe van der Maat.

Here's What We Know

According to the Dutch defence chief, the procurement of drone weapons has been outlined in the Defence Memorandum 2022. The aim is to reduce reaction times and increase flexibility during the deployment of ground forces.

The European country initially ordered MQ-9A Reaper drones for reconnaissance, surveillance and reconnaissance. The programme was launched in 2011. At the time, the Netherlands did not see the point in arming drones, but in a decade the threat picture has changed dramatically. The Reaper should now be able to defend ground forces.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has already handed over four MQ-9A drones to the Netherlands. They will be upgraded to carry high-precision GBU-12 bombs and AGM-114 Hellfire II air-to-surface missiles. However, no upgrades are planned for the six future drones. They will be delivered in 2026.

The missiles and bombs will be sold under the US Foreign Military Sales programme under the Arms Export Control Act. The cost is estimated at $110-270 million. Initial combat readiness is planned by 2025, and full readiness by 2028.

Source: Janes