Netherlands seeks US MQ-9 Reapers
The US state department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) of MQ-9 Reaper UAVs to the Netherlands, as announced by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency on 6 February.
The Netherlands had requested the sale of four MQ-9 Block 5 Reapers, among others. The approved FMS includes these four Reapers as well as an initial spares package and readiness spares package to support 3,400 flight hours over three years.
If it goes ahead, the sale will also include support and test equipment, personnel training and equipment, technical documentations and publications, technical and logistics support services and more. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems will be the principle contractor for the delivery.
The cost of this FMS is estimated to be $339 million. It will improve the ISR capabilities of the Netherlands' military in support of UN- and NATO-mandated operations and other coalition operations. If the FMS is completed, the Netherlands will be the fourth European operator with a Predator/Reaper UAV fleet.
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