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US details French Reaper purchase ahead of Mali ops

1st July 2013 - 12:26 GMT | by Pieter Bastiaans in Breda

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The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has progressed with plans to sell 16 MQ-9 Reaper UAVs to France as the European nation considers deploying them to Mali.

On 27 June, the DSCA notified the US Congress of a possible $1.5 billion Foreign Military Sale which will include associated equipment, spare parts, technical documentation, training and logistical support.

The French government is looking at a fast track procurement of two Reaper systems which are likely to be delivered directly from a US Air Force production lot.

On 11 June, French defence minister Jean-Yves Le Drian explained: ‘We are negotiating with

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Author

Pieter Bastiaans

A resident from Breda, the Netherlands, Pieter Bastiaans is an independent defence correspondent and photographer …

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