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ISRAEL-GERMANY-ARMS-AVIATION
Germany agrees to lease Israeli-made drones: manufacturer
JERUSALEM, June 14, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Germany has agreed a nine year deal
worth over half a billion dollars to lease Israeli military reconnaissance
drones capable of carrying missiles, the aircraft’s manufacturers said
Thursday.
European aerospace giant Airbus, which signed the $600 million (500
million euro) agreement on behalf of the German defence ministry, will
maintain and provide operational support for the Heron TP drones, Israel
Aerospace Industries said.
An official from the state-owned Israeli firm, speaking on condition of
anonymity, said the deal covered five drones.
The German military currently uses Israel’s Heron 1 in Afghanistan and
Mali, with the more advanced Heron TP drones expected to replace earlier
models.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that the German
parliament had approved the deal the previous day following the government’s
green light.
“It’s a very large deal,” Netanyahu said, “and that of course helps our
defence industries and I think it helps security in Europe.”
“It’s a very, very good piece of news,” he said at a security conference
in Jerusalem.
IAI said the deal was pending German federal budgetary approval.
In 2016, then-German defence minister Ursula von der Leyen said the
intention was to use the Israeli drones until a similar European model was
operational.
Germany had considered buying Predator drones from the United States, but
ultimately opted for the Heron TP, which German officials have said could be
made available more quickly and would provide a smoother transition between
models.
BSS/AFP/RY/1532 hrs