Defense & Military
Italian Air Force Orders Two More MQ-9A Block 5 Reapers
Italy orders two MQ-9A Block 5 Reaper drones under a $738M FMS deal, with deliveries scheduled for late 2027.
The Italian Air Forces (ItAF) will expand its uncrewed fleet with the acquisition of two additional MQ-9A Block 5 Reaper Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) and associated Ground Control Stations (GCS) from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI). The manufacturer announced the order in a September 8, 2026, press release, noting that deliveries are scheduled for the end of 2027.
The procurement falls under a broader Foreign Military Sale (FMS) approved by the U.S. State Department and announced by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on August 15, 2024. That agreement cleared Italy to purchase up to six MQ-9 Block 5 aircraft and related equipment for an estimated $738 million.
Fleet replenishment and procurement strategy
The two newly ordered airframes are reportedly “white tails,” meaning GA-ASI had already manufactured them without a specific customer attached, according to reporting by Aviation Week. This pre-built status aligns with the relatively rapid delivery timeline set for late 2027.
The acquisition arrives as Italy seeks to replenish its drone inventory following recent operational losses. Breaking Defense reported that the Italian Air Force lost an MQ-9 in Libya in 2019, while another was destroyed in March 2026 during an Iranian drone strike in Kuwait.
MQ-9A Block 5 capabilities and modernization
The MQ-9A Block 5 provides significant endurance and payload capacity for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions. According to GA-ASI specifications, the aircraft features a maximum endurance of 26 hours and an operating altitude of up to 45,000 feet. The platform supports a total payload capacity of 4,600 pounds, which includes 3,750 pounds of external stores.
Italy has operated GA-ASI equipment for over two decades. The Italian Air Force previously advanced its uncrewed capabilities through a Mid-Life Modernization program, conducting its first flight of an updated MQ-9A Block 5 on November 9, 2023.
In the September 8 press release, GA-ASI President David R. Alexander stated that Italy has utilized the MQ-9A to support a wide range of ISR missions domestically, over the Mediterranean, and in support of NATO operations.
AirPro News analysis
We view the procurement of pre-built “white tail” airframes as a pragmatic move by the Italian Air Force to rapidly restore its ISR capacity. With the loss of two MQ-9s in recent years, securing aircraft that are already manufactured allows Italy to bypass standard production lead times. The delivery target of late 2027 suggests a streamlined integration process, ensuring that Italy can maintain its operational commitments to NATO and Mediterranean surveillance without prolonged capability gaps.
Photo Credit: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.