First French Reapers arrive in Africa

France’s first General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Reaper unmanned air vehicles have been accepted by the nation’s air force, and deployed to Africa’s Sahel region in support of its ongoing intervention in Mali.

Rapidly acquired following a decision reached by defence minister Jean-Yves Le Drian in mid-2013, France’s first Reaper system was delivered in late December.

This comprises one ground control station (GCS) and two UAVs, the nation’s DGA defence procurement agency says.

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