UK and Belgium first to sign MQ-9B Cooperation MoU
Above:
The MQ-9B is a Remotely Piloted Aircraft System equipped with a suite of advanced equipment and precision strike weapons, that will provide critical surveillance capability.
Image courtesy RAF
As the lead customer procuring the MQ-9B, to be known as the Protector RG1 in RAF service, the UK has established the MQ-9B Cooperation MoU to enable cooperation between like-minded international governments who have procured a variant of the MQ-9B.
The signing sees the UK and Belgium become the initial Participants of the MoU which allows them to enter into detailed arrangements to work together on all programme areas, including certification and airworthiness, training, sustainment and future capability enhancements.
Air Commodore Hicks, Assistant Chief of Staff Cap ISR said: "This agreement further cements the close relationship between the UK and Belgium and affirms our joint commitment to the strategic unity and defence of Europe and NATO."
Major General Ivan De Tender, Head of the Belgian Public Procurement Division, said: "This collaboration allows us to develop synergies that optimise the interoperability and support of the SkyGuardian, by creating economies of scale for all participants in various domains such as staff training, certification and development of future capabilities."
The UK and Belgium have also established the MQ-9B International Cooperative Programme (MICP). Formed around the MoU, the MICP provides the processes and functionality to cooperate across certification, airworthiness, training, sustainment and capability enhancements.
The MICP Community currently comprises eight nations, with Belgium and the UK as the leads with six additional nations as observers. Membership of the MICP is expected to grow as a number of like-minded nations are considering the procurement of MQ-9B.
