The U.S. Armed Forces will increase their contingent on the Azores island of Terceira by about 200 troops in the coming hours, having transmitted CNN Portuguese tv on Tuesday, stating that the military would be liable for preparing MQ-9 Reaper drones. These machines are to be utilized in attacks on Iran.
According to the Lisbon station's findings, additional American soldiers will go to Lajes Air Base in Terceir. Military will be liable for preparing and repairing drones.
The station learned that approval to transport MQ-9 Reaper drones from the US to the Azores had already issued Portuguese MFAs.
However, she made it clear that the arrival of American forces in Lajes was not planned for Tuesday morning. She added that these soldiers in Lajes will be performing drone assembly in the coming days.
According to data from 2025, 165 American soldiers were stationed in Terceira so far, supported by 400 Portuguese Lajes staff. In the second half of February, another 400 American soldiers arrived there.
Portuguese commentators anticipate Lajes to burden MQ-9 Reaper drones on 1 of the U.S. Army transport aircraft stationed there, which have regularly departed for the mediate East since the end of February.
The MQ-9 Reaper drones, as determined by the Lisbon SIC television, are to go to an American military base in Jordan. From there, they will be active in attacks on Iran.
APW, PAP
