Dutch Reapers lengthen their stay at Curacao

In February 2022, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) delivered three MQ-9A Block 5 Unmanned Combat Aerial System (UCAS) to the Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu, Royal Netherlands Air Force) at Hato airport at Curaçao in the Caribbean.

The Reapers are tested in the unmanned version and are operated from the US FOL (Forward Operating Location) at Hato. The test and evaluation phase of the Reaper was scheduled to expire in mid-December 2022. The Dutch Ministry of Defence (MoD) reports that the aircraft will stay at the Caribbean island for six more months until 1 July 2023.

According to the MoD the unmanned systems can stay longer for training and supporting the Commander of the Caribbean Sea Force and the Caribbean Coast Guard.

Leeuwarden air base will receive the fourth Reaper and two Ground Control Stations (GSC) in mid-December 2022. The Reaper and the GSCs will remain in storage for the time being. The GSCs are expected to become operational in 2023 and then the Reapers, also the ones in Caribbean, can be controlled from Leeuwarden.

Photo via Dutch Ministry of Defence