France Receive First MQ-9 Reaper Drone

The French Air Force took delivery of MQ-9 (Block 1) Reaper drones deployed in the Sahel region on January 1, 2014.

The arrival of this first UAV system is a result of the priority given to intelligence in the White Paper on Defense and National Security that was approved by the President of the Republic on 29 April 2013.

The 2014-2019 military program law provides for the purchase of four UAV systems, for a total of twelve unmanned aircraft. They will complement the Harfang drones that are already operating in various theaters.

Decided by the Minister of Defence, this acquisition is intended to make up for the delay in drone capabilities that France had accumulated in recent years.

It was in August 2013 that the U.S. administration gave its consent, allowing France to begin the process of acquiring of two Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Reaper drones. Since then, the first six pilots and sensor operators have been trained.

France thus reinforces its significant intelligence capabilities in this part of Africa. These drones will provide surveillance and control over large areas and intelligence against terrorist formations.

The MQ-9 Reaper is a latest generation MALE drone that uses the most advanced technologies available on the market both for air vehicles and onboard sensors. By using optical and radar sensors to effect real-time monitoring, the range and endurance of the Reaper drones will allow them to operate throughout the Sahel-Saharan strip. Although the Reaper is capable of carrying weapons, France chose not to arm its own drones.