Ukraine is very much interested in receiving MQ-9 Reaper reconnaissance drones from the US, moving them to the top of the wish list in recent months, Politico reports, citing sources.
Interest in these drones has grown as Ukraine plans summer operations and seeks new ways to identify targets deep in Russia’s rear, the publication said.
Since the first days of Russia’s full-scale invasion, MQ-9 Reaper drones have been one of Ukraine’s priorities, as it wanted to use them for strikes and surveillance.
Recently, however, Ukraine has abandoned the intent part and is basically interested in using the Reaper drones only for reconnaissance, four people familiar with the matter told the publication.
Three industry representatives and a person familiar with the Ukrainian requests confirmed that the desire for the drones is not new, but that the request has become more important to Kyiv as it is interested in gaining any battlefield advantage it can provide.
According to the publication, the United States still has not decided in favor of supplying MQ-9 Reaper to Ukraine, fearing that Russia may shoot them down.
