Heron TP for Germany takes to the skies
The Israeli MoD on 26 July claimed a ‘significant milestone’ in the German programme to lease and operate the Heron TP UAS, when the first UAV of this type for the German Armed Forces completed its maiden flight in Israel.
‘The UAV was modified according to the needs and requirements of the German Ministry of Defence’ using advanced Israeli technology, according to Heron manufacturer Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). It added that modifications were completed in record time.
In June 2018, IAI signed a contract with Airbus DS for the leasing and provision of maintenance services for the Heron TP to the German Federal Ministry of Defense, with Airbus DS acting as the main contractor.
The $600 million, nine-year contract includes options for expansion of content, including for extension of the lease period by a maximum of another three years.
The head of the UAV Executive Office in the Israeli MoD (name withheld for security reasons) noted: ‘This is a significant and historic phase in the strategic cooperation between Israel and Germany... Despite the various challenges we faced including those brought by the Corona [COVID-19] pandemic, we are on schedule.’
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