IAI sells and leases Heron MK II to Central Asia
Israeli-made UAV boasts standoff ISR capability.
An unnamed customer in ‘central Asia’ agreed separate deals to buy and lease Heron MK II UAVs, manufacturer Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) announced on 25 January.
IAI put the combined value of the contract at tens of millions of US dollars.
Materiel to be provided will include reconnaissance payloads and ground-based equipment, as well as the UAVs.
Heron MK II can reaches an altitude of 35,000ft and travel at a top speed of 140kt, with the capability to loiter for up to 45h.
Its payload includes a long-range reconnaissance sensor and radar, as well as optional additional equipment for standoff COMINT and ELINT collection.
IAI tends to be tight-lipped about identifying customers; to date, only Greece has been named as a prospective user after agreeing in May 2020 to lease an undisclosed number of Heron UAVs.
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