Germany is providing Israel with up to two Heron TP drones, the Federal Ministry of Defense announced.
The Bundeswehr currently leases five drones of this type. The contract for this was agreed in 2018 between the Bundeswehr Procurement Office (BAAINBw) and the company Airbus Defense & Space Airborne Solutions (ADAS). The manufacturer of the Heron TP is the Israeli defense company Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). Heron TP is also in use by the Israeli Air Force.
The training of German soldiers on the Heron TP systems leased from the Bundeswehr, also called German Heron TP, takes place in Israel. According to Defense Minister Pistorius, all five systems are currently located in Israel, meaning that the necessary equipment to operate the unmanned systems and the ground control stations are already on site.
In addition to the reconnaissance ability, Heron TP can also be armed. According to the Ministry of Defense, a guided missile specially developed for the system is planned for the German Heron TP. It goes on to say: “This ammunition can be used to achieve a quick, precise and spatially limited effect against vehicles or positions.”
The editorial team currently does not know whether the up to two drones provided by Germany to Israel can also be used by the Israeli armed forces for weapons purposes.
According to the Ministry of Defense, the Heron TP with its 1,200 hp turboprop engine has a maximum operational duration of up to 27 hours and can reach a maximum altitude of up to 12,500 meters. The maximum take-off weight of the unmanned aircraft, which is 14 meters long and has a wingspan of 26 meters, is 5.4 tons, and up to one ton of payload can be carried.
Request for medical supplies and ammunition
As Defense Minister Pistorius announced in a press statement today, Israel had requested “extensive medical supplies” in addition to the use of drones. Pistorius said: “We will now do this very quickly.”
Pistorius also said: “There are also initial requests for ammunition for ships.” What exactly this is about will now be discussed with the Israelis, the minister continued.
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