Thailand seals order for Hermes 900
The Royal Thai Navy has officially ordered Hermes 900 UAVs from Elbit Systems. (Photo: Elbit Systems)
The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) has officially ordered the Hermes 900 Maritime UAS from Elbit Systems to meet its MALE UAV requirements for blue water and littoral missions.
In confirming the THB4 billion ($120 million), three-year deal on 28 September, Elbit did not indicate the quantity of Hermes aircraft to be supplied but Shephard previously reported that the RTN was looking for seven UAS plus two mobile ground control stations and a one indoor control station.
Elbit will also provide ‘training capabilities’ for the RTN.
The RTN UAV fleet already includes the Orbiter 3B, Camcopter S-100 and RQ-21A Blackjack but the much larger Hermes 900 offers expanded altitude, range and mission endurance capabilities.
The Elbit-manufactured UAV was selected ahead of the Heron TP, Wing Loong II and MQ-9A Reaper.
Thailand will be the third country in ASEAN to operate the Hermes 900 after Singapore and the Philippines. The UAVs will be operated from RTN coastal aviation bases.
The Hermes 900 Maritime UAS for Thailand will feature a maritime radar, an EO payload, SATCOM equipment and droppable inflatable liferafts for maritime SAR missions.
More from Air Warfare
-
US Air Force needs over 200 B-21 bombers, expert argues as maiden flight faces delays
The first flight of Northrop Grumman's B-21 Raider stealth bomber has been delayed, while experts argue the US Air Force is in need of more than 300 bombers as tensions heighten across the globe.
-
Australian firm selected for US hypersonic test vehicle requirement
Hypersonix Launch Systems will provide flight vehicles for testing under a US Defense Innovation Unit hypersonic programme.
-
Slovakia to get US attack helicopters after donating jets to Ukraine
The US is offering a dozen AH-1Z Viper helicopters to Slovakia at two-thirds discount with the latter sending its fighters to Ukraine, which would likely extend H-1 production beyond 2023.
-
Singapore at-sea deployment of F-35Bs can overcome airfield dependency
Singapore could potentially deploy F-35Bs from its Joint Multi-Mission Ship to overcome airfield dependency and improve air defence as part of its apparent new security strategy.
-
Iraq emerges as customer for Turkish Aselpod airborne targeting system
An Iraqi Air Force Aero L-159 light attack jet has been photographed fitted with an Aselsan Aselpod targeting system, suggesting that Iraq is the export customer announced in by the company in autumn 2022.