The US MQ-9 Reaper drones are at the top of the list of weapons that Ukraine wants to get from the US. This is what the publication “PoliticoPro” writes, based on its sources, unian.net points out.
“Ukraine is increasingly interested in the possibility of receiving the MQ-9 Reaper reconnaissance drone from the US, which has been at the top of the wish list in recent months as it plans operations for the summer and seeks new ways to identify Russian targets deep behind the front lines,” the publication writes.
Reuters/Scanpix/An MQ-9 Reaper drone in the hangar
It is noted that these drones have been a priority for Kyiv since the first days of the war. However, they were previously planned to be used for both strikes and reconnaissance, and now, according to sources, Ukraine is mainly interested in using the MQ-9 Reaper only for reconnaissance.
The MQ-9 Reaper is a modular reconnaissance and strike unmanned aerial vehicle developed for the United States Air Force and Navy and the United Kingdom Air Force. Its first flight took place in 2001. February. The drone has a turboprop engine that allows it to reach a speed of over 400 km/h. speed.
Its wingspan is about 20 meters, it can stay in the air for more than 24 hours and carry a combat payload.
Earlier, the media reported that the US concern General Atomics offered the Ukrainian government to directly purchase two Reaper drones. However, it is not clear how the negotiations ended.
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