Article Posted on : - Jun 22, 2018

Heron TP. Photo: IAI.

NEW DELHI (BNS): Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has signed an agreement with Airbus to lease Heron TP Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) RPASs (remotely piloted air vehicle system) to Germany's Federal Ministry of Defence.

Under the $600 million deal, Airbus DS Airborne Solutions GmbH will serve as the prime contractor responsible for managing all aspects of the project, including operational support and maintenance throughout the term of the agreement.

The nine-year agreement is pending approval of the German federal budget, which is expected in the second half of 2018, an IAI statement said.

The Heron TP MALE is a high altitude, long endurance, strategic, versatile and multiple-payload RPAS, which features IAI's most advanced technologies. The system is in service with the Israel Air Force since 2010. The Heron TP is the strategic variant of the Heron family.