Dutch Reaper UAVs to be armed with Hellfire missiles
The Netherlands is arming its MQ-9 Reapers in response to a changing security situation. (Photo: Dutch MoD)
The Dutch MoD has announced plans to arm its General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper fleet with laser-guided bombs and Hellfire missiles.
The Netherlands currently operates four MQ-9 Reapers but has four more aircraft on order.
The Netherlands' new aircraft, due to arrive in 2026, will be ready to carry the weapons, and the existing four will be adapted to deploy them.
The GBU laser-guided bomb is already used on the F-35 fighter jet and the Hellfire missile on the Apache attack helicopter.
Related Articles
Saab details Finnish and Dutch combat training solutions at IT2EC 2023
Highway landing opens door to future MQ-9 Reaper capabilities
Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force begins trials with MQ-9B SeaGuardian UAS
However, the Hellfire missiles for the Reapers will be a newer variant.
When the Dutch started their Reaper project in 2011, the country deemed there not to be a requirement to arm the UAVs; however, the MoD said the threat picture had not changed significantly.
Arming the aircraft is estimated to cost between €100 to €250 million.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
MQ-9A Reaper (Second Batch) [Netherlands]
MQ-9A Reaper (First Batch) [Netherlands]
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![M-345 officially enters service as trainer for Italian Air Force]()
M-345 officially enters service as trainer for Italian Air Force
The Leonardo M-345 High-Efficiency Trainer (HET) basic/advanced trainer is similar to the M-346, which is the second part of the Italian Air Force’s training system, but is a substantially smaller and less powerful aircraft.
-
![Belgium’s F-35A order progresses at it awaits first jet delivery by late 2025]()
Belgium’s F-35A order progresses at it awaits first jet delivery by late 2025
The first aircraft delivery timeline confirmation comes as Belgium weighs up an additional F-3A buy from Lockheed Martin.
-
![Enhancing education: How CAE is embracing new technology to boost military training]()
Enhancing education: How CAE is embracing new technology to boost military training
In Conversation... Shephard's Gerrard Cowan talks to CAE's Marc-Olivier Sabourin about how the training and simulation industry can help militaries achieve essential levels of readiness by leveraging new technology, innovative procurement methods and a truly collaborative approach.
