BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: A United States (US) Air Force MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft participated in the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) 65th anniversary celebration at the at Rimba Air Force Base, Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF) Sunday (May 31).
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah visited and took a closer look at the aircraft during the grand ceremony in conjunction with the celebration.
According to the Embassy of the United States in Brunei, the MQ-9 Reaper made history on May 29, 2026 by successfully completing the first ever landing of its kind in Brunei.
The milestone underscores the strong defence partnership between US and Brunei, as well as the advanced capabilities of US military aviation technology.
The MQ-9 Reaper represents a significant advancement in modern military aviation. US Air Force operators control these sophisticated aircraft remotely from operations centres in the US, enabling global reach and persistent surveillance capabilities.
The US Air Force primarily utilises MQ-9 aircraft for maritime surveillance and close air support missions, providing critical intelligence and operational support to commanders worldwide.
Major Kim of the US Air Force shared, “This historic visit demonstrates the depth of our bilateral defence cooperation and our shared commitment to regional security.”
He added, “We are honoured to participate in the RBAF anniversary celebration and to showcase the capabilities that support our mutual security interest.” – BB/ANN
