Italian Air Force to acquire two more combat drones from US company General Atomics

The Italian Air Force has placed an additional order with US private company General Atomics for two more MQ-9A Block 5 Reaper combat unmanned aerial vehicles, the manufacturer’s press service said.

The drones are expected to be delivered to the Apennine Peninsula by the end of next year. The Block 5 aircraft ordered by Italy is capable of reaching an altitude of more than 13,700 metres and carrying a payload of around two tonnes.

It was previously reported that the US Department of Defense is gradually phasing out MQ-9 Reaper UAVs manufactured by General Atomics, with plans to replace them with cheaper strike-reconnaissance aircraft.

MQ-9 Reaper drones can cost between $30 million and $50 million, depending on their level of technical equipment and the types of weapons they are designed to carry.