French Reapers prepare to add hitting power in Africa
On 5 June 2021, a Reaper flew a mission from France in support of the EU Mediterranean maritime security operation Irini. (Photo: Jean-Marc Tanguy)
Change is afoot for the French fleet of MQ-9 Reapers.
The French Air and Space Force is poised in July 2021 to put GBU-12 Paveway II laser-guided bombs into service on three of its Block 5 MQ-9 Reaper UAVs deployed to Niger in support of Operation Barkhane.
The 33rd Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Attack Wing (SRAW) operates 12 Reaper UAVs. Six are Block 1 aircraft (one of which has been leased since 2020 to make up for the loss of another Block 1 in 2018 to a crash shortly before landing) and the other six are Block 5s.
The first Block 5 system was delivered in January 2020 but remained
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![CH-47 Chinook: why the iconic helicopter design is still a heavy-lift contender (updated 2026)]()
CH-47 Chinook: why the iconic helicopter design is still a heavy-lift contender (updated 2026)
From its emergence as a ground-breaking design in the 1950s to its widespread deployment in diverse operations worldwide, the Chinook continues to leave an indelible mark on the aviation landscape. Shephard sums up the helicopter’s latest developments.
-
![UK vows to accelerate Lyra programme for Ukraine as defence industry eyes opportunities]()
UK vows to accelerate Lyra programme for Ukraine as defence industry eyes opportunities
Project Nightfall and Project Octopus both fall under the Lyra programme, with UK industry working to develop and deliver additional missiles and drones to help bolster Ukraine’s warfighting capabilities against Russia.
-
![How detection-led C-UAS solutions are transforming drone defense]()
How detection-led C-UAS solutions are transforming drone defense
Modern C-UAS solutions must detect threats early, integrate layered sensors, and deliver fast, scalable, adaptable defense against evolving drones.
-
![How uncrewed rotary platforms are shaping approaches to contested logistics]()
How uncrewed rotary platforms are shaping approaches to contested logistics
Defence industry primes are working on an array of different platforms to meet the growing need for rotary uncrewed aerial vehicles to carry out future logistics missions.
