Germany agrees to lease Israeli-made UAS
Germany has agreed a nine year deal worth over half a billion dollars to lease Israeli military reconnaissance UAS capable of carrying missiles, the aircraft's manufacturers said on 14 June.
European aerospace giant Airbus, which signed the $600 million agreement on behalf of the German defence ministry, will maintain and provide operational support for the Heron TP UAS, Israel Aerospace Industries said.
An official from the state-owned Israeli firm, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the deal covered five UAS.
The German military currently uses Israel's Heron 1 (pictured) in Afghanistan and Mali, with the more advanced Heron TP UAS expected to replace earlier models.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on 14 June that the German parliament had approved the deal the previous day following the government's green light.
Netanyahu said at a security conference in Jerusalem: ‘It's a very large deal, and that of course helps our defence industries and I think it helps security in Europe. It's a very, very good piece of news.’
IAI said the deal was pending German federal budgetary approval.
In 2016, then-German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen said the intention was to use the Israeli UAS until a similar European model was operational.
Germany had considered buying Predator UAS from the US, but ultimately opted for the Heron TP, which German officials have said could be made available more quickly and would provide a smoother transition between models.
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![US Navy foresees an uncrewed future for its surface and underwater fleet]()
US Navy foresees an uncrewed future for its surface and underwater fleet
The service has been conducting various procurement and development efforts to integrate unmanned surface and underwater vehicles into its inventory.
-
![Ready for the race: Air separation drone swarms vs. air defence systems]()
Ready for the race: Air separation drone swarms vs. air defence systems
As the dynamics of aerial combat rapidly evolve, Chinese scientists have engineered a sophisticated air separation drone model that can fragment into up to six drones, each capable of executing distinct battlefield roles and challenging the efficacy of current anti-drone defences such as the UK’s Dragonfire laser system.
-
![Israel’s MALE UAVs ‘must adapt’ to Iranian-made air defences]()
Israel’s MALE UAVs ‘must adapt’ to Iranian-made air defences
Advancements in air defence technologies have begun to reshape aerial combat dynamics in the Middle East, as illustrated by recent events involving the Israeli Air Force and Hezbollah.
-
![Hundreds more UAS sent to Ukraine forces with thousands more on the way]()
Hundreds more UAS sent to Ukraine forces with thousands more on the way
Both sides of the Russia-Ukraine war have been using UAS for effective low-cost attacks, as well as impactful web and social media footage. Thousands more have now been committed to Ukrainian forces.
-
![AI and software companies selected for US Army Robotic Combat Vehicle subsystems]()
AI and software companies selected for US Army Robotic Combat Vehicle subsystems
The US Army has intentions to develop light, medium and heavy variants of the Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) as part of the branche’s Next Generation Combat Vehicle family.
