Royal Netherlands Air Force Deploys MQ-9A Reaper Drones to Romania for NATO Reconnaissance missions

The Royal Netherlands Air Force  has announced the deployment of General Atomics MQ-9A Reaper drones by the Royal Netherlands Air Force to Romania. The Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) will be stationed at Campia Turzii air base in Romania, primarily for reconnaissance missions along NATO's eastern border. Three MQ-9A Reaper drones, originally located in the Caribbean, are being relocated to Romania, along with approximately 140 personnel from the Dutch Air Force. The deployment is expected to last for a period ranging from six to twelve months.

The operation involves control and command stations for the drone operators located at Leeuwarden base in the Netherlands. The Dutch Air Force emphasizes that the MQ-9A drones will exclusively perform reconnaissance missions over Central Europe.

The Netherlands possesses four MQ-9A Reaper drones, delivered in 2022. Positive assessments of their performance led to a decision to increase the fleet in August of the previous year. Additionally, in May of the same year, a decision was made to modify the drones to enable them to carry weapons. The MQ-9A is expected to achieve initial operational readiness for armed missions by 2025, with full operational capability anticipated by 2028.