WILLEMSTAD - The Defense Department has initiated the procurement of ammunition to arm the unmanned reconnaissance aircraft MQ-9 Reaper. The necessity for this armament was identified in 2022 and is now being addressed accordingly.
When the project was initially launched by Defense twelve years ago, arming the drones was not deemed essential. However, the evolving threat landscape has prompted a significant shift in priorities.
The aircraft must now possess the capability to safeguard the safety of deployed troops. The objective is to obtain the first batch of ammunition by 2025. Currently, the unmanned system is undergoing testing in Curaçao, where it is already making valuable contributions, such as providing support to civil authorities and aiding in investigations and surveillance efforts.