Purchasing the General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper UAV has transformed the U.K. Royal Air Force's understanding of remotely piloted air operations. But even though the RAF is preparing the ground to absorb a further five Reapers into its inventory in the coming months, as an urgent operational requirement (UOR) purchased to support theater operations in Afghanistan, officially the Reaper's career with the RAF is due to end when combat troops leave the country in late 2014. Commanders face some tough challenges in the coming year. Several billion pounds have been spent over the last decade on new equipment purchased as UORs for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, paid for from the U.K. Treasury's special reserve, a fund that helps cover military operations. But if commanders wish to keep the equipment beyond the end of combat operations, the systems must be taken into the core budget of the defense ministry-a budget that was previously considered a black hole but has since been balanced by officials. The budget has £8 billion ($12 billion) earmarked for new programs, potentially including those that commanders are keen to retain after Afghanistan.
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