A U.S. military MQ-9 Reaper—often referred to as a “killer drone”—has arrived at Lajes Air Base in the Azores, as part of ongoing U.S. operations in the Middle East.
The Portuguese facility is being used as a logistical hub for maintenance and refueling of these aircraft.
Measuring around 11 meters in length, the MQ-9 Reaper can carry up to eight precision-guided missiles and has an endurance of up to 27 hours. Operated remotely, each unit is estimated to cost around €48 million.
According to reports, the drones depart from Terceira Island toward a U.S. military base in Amman, where they are prepared for potential strike missions.
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Between three and four drones are expected to be stationed on the island, prompting political scrutiny in Portugal. Parties including the Socialist Party and the Left Bloc have requested clarification from the government regarding the use of the base.
In response, Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel stated that the presence of U.S. drones at Lajes complies with international law, emphasizing that Portugal is not participating in or involved in any military actions against Iran.
