An American MQ-9 Reaper drone made a brief, highly unusual stop at Lajes Air Base early Thursday morning, remaining on the ground for just over an hour before departing under tight military control.

According to reporting by Portuguese broadcaster SIC, journalist Rui Faria—who captured images of the landing—said the unmanned aircraft touched down shortly before 2 a.m. local time after being expected at the base earlier in the week. The drone never powered down its engines while on the ground and was surrounded by military personnel who connected cables to the aircraft before it took off again.

The MQ-9 Reaper’s stopover is believed to mark the first time the advanced U.S. drone has landed on Portuguese soil. Its origin and destination remain undisclosed.

Sources cited by Diário Insular indicate the drone arrived alongside two P-8 Poseidon aircraft—U.S. Navy planes designed primarily for anti-submarine warfare. One of the Poseidon aircraft reportedly accompanied the drone upon departure.

The Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs had authorized the operation of such drones at Lajes beginning earlier in the week, according to SIC. However, it remains unclear whether the aircraft were expected to arrive fully assembled or be deployed from the base toward the Middle East. It is also unknown whether additional drones will pass through the Azores in the coming days.

The MQ-9 Reaper is widely regarded as one of the most capable unmanned combat aerial vehicles in operation today. Designed for long-endurance surveillance and precision strikes, it can carry more than 1,700 kilograms (3,700 pounds) of payload, including guided missiles. The aircraft has a flight endurance of up to 27 hours and a range exceeding 1,000 nautical miles, and can be operated semi-autonomously or remotely via satellite.

Each unit is estimated to cost between $30 million and $40 million. Measuring approximately 11 meters (36 feet) in length with a wingspan of 20 meters (66 feet), the Reaper can carry up to eight precision-guided missiles.

Speaking Wednesday before Portugal’s parliament, Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel said that all conditions imposed on the United States regarding the use of Lajes Base—particularly in the context of tensions involving Iran—were being met.

“We are not involved, nor will we be, in this operation,” Rangel said. “The use of Lajes is governed by an agreement which allows, outside NATO or multilateral frameworks, for conditional authorization. That is what has taken place.”

Portugal’s Socialist Party has since submitted a formal written inquiry to the government, seeking clarification on the transit of MQ-9 Reaper drones through the strategic mid-Atlantic base.

In Diário Insular – José Lourenço, director.

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