The US State Department has approved the Italian request to arm two MQ-9 drones Reaper with missiles Hellfire, laser guided bombs and other ammunition. Weapon systems that have played a decisive role in US military actions in Afghanistan, Iraq and Yemen.
Italy is the second country, after Great Britain, which will be equipped with armed drones. The Italian request to arm the MQ-9 drones Reaper (purchased in the 2009) was formulated in the 2012. Turkey has also made this request.
Congress has 15 days to block the sale, but it is a remote possibility.
Italy would buy, expects official ratification, 156 missiles AGM-114R2 Hellfire II built by Lockheed Martin, 20 GBU-12 (laser guided bombs), 30 GBU-38 JDAM and other weapon systems.
"The sale was approved because Italy is a key ally and historic partner of the United States".
(photo: US Air Force)
