Emilie Grenaud
WILLIAM ROSADO / AFP
An MQ-9 Reaper drone flies over Nevada, United States, January 14, 2020.
UNITED STATES – The facts have all the ingredients to turn into a diplomatic incident between Washington and Moscow. A Russian Su-27 fighter jet “intercepted and rammed” this Tuesday, March 14 an American Reaper drone over the Black Sea and caused its fall, an act qualified as“thoughtless” by the White House, while the war in Ukraine raises fears of an escalation.
“Our MQ-9 drone was performing routine operations in international airspace when it was intercepted and rammed by a Russian aircraft, resulting in the crash and loss of the MQ-9”said General James Hecker, commander of the American air forces in Europe, confirming information revealed earlier by AFP on an incident involving a Reaper in the Black Sea.
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It is the first time since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukrainian territory on February 24, 2022 that a NATO country, support of Ukraine, has acknowledged losing equipment operated by itself in this highly flammable region. .
“This is a dangerous and unprofessional act on the part of the Russians”underlined the senior officer, adding that “U.S. and allied drones will continue to operate in international airspace”and calling on the Russians to “behave in a professional manner”.
“Aggressive actions by Russian crews could lead to miscalculations and unintended escalation”insists the American army in the same press release.
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The collision appears to have taken place in airspace off the Ukrainian city of Odessa, according to the US Naval Institute.
According to the FlightRadar24 website, a P-8A Poseidon maritime reconnaissance aircraft circled off the coast of Romania after taking off from Sigonella Air Base, Italy.
A White House spokesman, John Kirby, denounced a “rash act” from the Russians, noting that there had been interceptions of American drones by Russian aircraft in the past, but that this incident was ” unique “ insofar as it had resulted in the loss of the Reaper.
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Regular interactions in the Black Sea
The skies of the Black Sea are the scene of very regular interactions between drones and aircraft from NATO countries and the Russian armed forces, especially since the start of the war in Ukraine.
“With the current crisis, we have an increase in the number of reconnaissance vectors to Crimea, with Reaper, which we did not have before. And depending on the situation, it can piss off the Russians. Especially since there have been Western collection activities (of information, editor’s note) which participate in targeting for Ukraine”underlines a French expert on condition of anonymity.
Ukraine’s Western allies, who have been delivering arms to Kiev since the start of the conflict to help it defend itself, are not directly involved on Ukrainian territory, for fear of an escalation with Russian nuclear power.
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So, “diplomatic channels may mitigate the event”said a Western military source.
The Reaper drone, manufactured by the American company General Atomics, is a remotely piloted aircraft of the MALE type (medium altitude long endurance), equipped with ultra-modern on-board sensors (optronic ball and radar) to carry out surveillance operations at a speed cruising speed of 335 km/h.
With a wingspan of 20 meters, it has an autonomy of more than 24 hours of flight. It can carry several types of armament: laser and/or GPS (GBU) guided bombs or Hellfire missiles. Its ground crew consists of 4 people.
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Besides the United States, several European armies have Reaper drones in their fleet, including the British, Italians, French and Spanish.
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