306 Squadron Reapers to Romania

The Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu, Royal Netherlands Air Force) MQ-9A Unmanned Combat Aerial System (UCAS) that are currently based at Hato airport (Curaçao) made their last operational flight in the Caribbean on 12 January 2024.

The aircraft will be made ready for transport to their new operating base in Romania where they will contribute to the protection of the Netherlands and NATO partners.

Three 306 Squadron Reapers were delivered in February 2022 and were operated from the US FOL (Forward Operating Location) at Hato. The location at Curaçao was specifically chosen for test and evaluation and the good weather conditions.

Their stay at Hato have been lenghtened twice for a period of six months. According to Dutch Ministry of Defence (MoD) the unmanned aircraft stayed longer for training and supporting the Commander of the Caribbean Sea Force and the Caribbean Coast Guard.

In August 2023, a fourth MQ-9A Reaper was delivered to Leeuwarden air base including two Ground Control Stations (GSC). It has not been reported whether this aircraft will join the three that will go to an as-yet undisclosed location in Romania.

Credit photo: Koninklijke Luchtmacht