DÉFENSE ZONE
In the skies over the BSS (Sahel-Saharan strip), the grim reaper hovers and watches the movements of the desert. In the Barkhane theatre, the allegory of Death has taken the form of an American combat drone bearing the words “Armée de l’air” since 2014: the Reaper.
The successor to the Harfang has taken over at the Niamey site. It is from this Nigerien base that most of the MQ-9 Reaper drones take off to carry out support and reconnaissance missions.
Numbering three since one of the aircraft crashed a few kilometres from the air base in November 2018, these unmanned aircraft are of strategic importance in a conflict that has now lasted more than five years.
Mission: gathering intelligence and supporting forces on the ground
With an endurance of 24 hours in the air and the ability to fly distances of more than 1,000 nautical miles (around 1,850 kilometres), these aircraft allow the French Air Force to gather intelligence and support ground troops, particularly during raids or troop movements.
A major asset when you consider that distances in the Barkhane theatre, an area the size of Europe, can be enormous and climatic conditions difficult for logistics convoys.
An asset that has become even more valuable since the end of 2019, because the Reapers are now armed and can therefore fire medium-range missiles (GBU-12 laser-guided bombs of 250 kg each), already used by the Mirage pilots stationed at the same base.
Until the end of 2019, only the American drones, stationed in the hangars next to the French ones, were armed.
Piloted from the French air base in Niamey
Now the only difference between the French and American “aircraft” lies in the doctrine of use. While Uncle Sam’s aircraft are piloted from a container in the state of New Mexico, those flying under the French flag are piloted from the desert of Niger.
Here, the drone pilots really are on overseas operations (OPEX), just like the Mirage 2000 pilots with whom they regularly coordinate missions. However, unlike other soldiers deployed on overseas operations, their tours last not four consecutive months but only two, because of the work patterns and conditions.
In a territory where terrorists tend to come out at night but where ground convoys necessarily move by day, Reaper crews have to adapt their sleep and their daily rhythms on the base.
The rise of drone warfare
Given the effectiveness of these new assets, and although the subject is highly sensitive, France has already placed orders to strengthen its squadron. By 2025, the French Air Force should have 12 unmanned aircraft, then 24 by 2030.
Not all the reapers are deployed on overseas operations. Reaper drones are permanently stationed in Cognac for exercises.
If you would like to see more images on this theme, visit the “Armée de l’air” (French Air Force) collection.
