After more than two decades of debate, discussion and policy dissection, Canada’s air force finally has the green light to acquire armed drones.
A fleet of 11 MQ-9 Reaper drones, built by U.S. defence contractor General Atomics, will be purchased in a $2.49 billion package, Liberal MPs announced Tuesday on behalf of Defence Minister Bill Blair.
As CBC News reported in October, delivery of the remotely piloted aircraft won’t take place until 2028 and the air force doesn’t expect to have the full fleet up and running until 2033.
Unlike other recent purchases for the air force, this project was announced outside of Ottawa in a
