MQ-9 Reaper
Armed MALE drone · also known as Predator B, MQ-9A, MQ-9B SkyGuardian, MQ-9B SeaGuardian
| Designer / manufacturer | General Atomics Aeronautical Systems |
|---|---|
| Countries | United States |
| Production | United States (plant not specified in sources reviewed) |
| Operators | United States (USAF, CBP), United Kingdom, Italy, France, India, Canada, Belgium, Greece |
| Estimated unit cost | $30M–$32M per aircraft, estimate (2024) · source |
| Confidence | medium |
Other published estimates
| Estimate | Context | Source |
|---|---|---|
| $56.5M, contract figure (2011) | USAF fact sheet figure for a system of four aircraft plus ground stations and satellite link, FY2011 dollars; not a per-aircraft price (fact sheet itself could not be opened; figure via search results) | www.creech.af.mil |
| $30.2M, estimate (2012) | Time derivation from Dec 2010 SAR, including share of ground equipment | nation.time.com |
| $14.75M, reported (2017) | Price tag cited in a Defense News comparison; basis not stated | www.defensenews.com |
Reported characteristics
| Payload (kg) | 1700 |
|---|---|
| Endurance (h) | 14 (fully loaded) to 30 (ISR); sources differ |
| ceiling | 25,000 ft (Wikipedia operational) versus above 40,000 ft (AP, Apr 2025) |
Notes
Per-aircraft and per-system figures differ by a factor of about two. Many Houthi shoot-down counts are claims.
Who uses it and how they obtain it
How each user obtains this type, from open sources (research note of 12 October 2026). Confidence concerns the route claim: high means several independent authoritative sources or an official source; medium, one good source with supporting coverage; low, a single source, a party's claim or visual similarity only. 'Contested' means a party denies it, sources disagree, or it rests only on a party's claim. Several primary documents were only reachable through secondary coverage. This is background on the type, not evidence about any specific incident. Explanations are in English.
| User | How obtained | Explanation and sources |
|---|---|---|
| United States | own production Confidence: high | Built by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems; export sales run through US Foreign Military Sales notifications (for example Qatar, March 2025) and direct contracts. Components: Not documented in the sources found. |
| United Kingdom | import / supply Confidence: high | The UK ordered 16 Protector RG1 (MQ-9B) aircraft in two steps, GBP 65 million in July 2020 and GBP 195 million in July 2021, to replace its Reapers. A further US approval covers about USD 500 million of MQ-9 support. Components: Not applicable (finished aircraft). www.defenceconnect.com.au thedefensepost.com defensedaily.com |
| France | import / supply Confidence: high | France operates MQ-9A Reapers bought through US Foreign Military Sales and replaced its six Block 1 aircraft with Block 5 ER aircraft delivered from 2019-2020; its 2013 request covered up to 16 aircraft. The final Block 5 fleet size was not confirmed in one source. Components: Not applicable (finished aircraft). |
| Italy | import / supply Confidence: medium | Italy operates MQ-9 Reapers bought from the US (six from 2009 according to press), and US notifications cover Block 5 aircraft and weaponisation. Exact fleet size was not verified. Components: Not applicable (finished aircraft). |
| India | import / supply, local assembly from kits or parts Confidence: high | India signed a contract with the US government in October 2024 for 31 MQ-9B (about USD 4 billion) that includes a maintenance, repair and overhaul facility in India. Some reports mention assembly in India while another says no direct technology transfer is included. Components: Not applicable (finished aircraft; Indian MRO and possible assembly). www.tribuneindia.com www.airforce-technology.com aviacionline.com |
| Canada | import / supply Confidence: high | Canada signed a contract on 19 December 2023 for the MQ-9B SkyGuardian; National Defence plans 11 aircraft and six ground stations (estimated CAD 2.49 billion) with first deliveries expected in 2028. Components: Not applicable (finished aircraft). |
| Belgium | import / supply Confidence: high | Belgium is buying four MQ-9B through US Foreign Military Sales, and the first aircraft made its first flight on 20 February 2025. Contract date and value were not found. Components: Not applicable (finished aircraft). |
| Greece (planned) | import / supply Confidence: low | The Greek parliament approved funds in 2022 for three MQ-9B SeaGuardian; whether a contract was signed or aircraft were delivered was not confirmed in the sources found. Components: Not applicable (finished aircraft). |
Dossiers mentioning this type
No published dossier names this type yet.
Sources
- https://scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3278969/us-acknowledges-yemens-houthis-shot-down-2-reaper-drones-worth-us30-million-each
- https://nation.time.com/?p=67487
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Atomics_MQ-9_Reaper
Cost figures are published estimates from third parties and vary widely; they are not DroneLedger assessments. Corrections: About, corrections & privacy.
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