The Italian Air Force has ordered two additional MQ-9A Block 5 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, with delivery due at the end of 2027. The purchase is part of a US Foreign Military Sale and includes ground control stations, extending Italy’s medium-altitude, long-endurance surveillance fleet from GA-ASI’s San Diego facility.
The new aircraft will add persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capacity for Mediterranean operations and NATO missions. GA-ASI lists the MQ-9A Block 5 with endurance of up to 26 hours, a ceiling of 45,000 feet and a payload capacity of up to 4,600 pounds.
The order comes as European air arms continue to invest in high-end unmanned systems for long-range maritime surveillance and expeditionary support. No contract value was disclosed, and the company did not specify the size of Italy’s existing Reaper fleet in the latest release.