BERLIN -- Germany may soon acquire a medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) unmanned air vehicle (UAV) that is capable of carrying air-to-surface armaments. The German military is working to win the approval of Chancelor Angela Merkel.
The Bundeswehr has requested some EUR900 million ($1.04 billion) to lease five Heron TP UAVs from Israel over the next nine years. The Heron TP is made by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and offers a capability similar to the General Atomics-made Reaper UAV.
Germany is continuing its involvement in UAV development. The German government is looking to develop an all-new MALE UAV system with France and other European partners. The Heron TP is meant as an interim solution until this all-new UAV is ready for service.