Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) is expected to sign a major unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) contract with the Indian Army in a few days. IAI sources confirmed the deal, following reports in the Indian press. IAI will sell Heron UAVs to the Indian Army for an estimated $210-230 million.
The Heron is a medium altitude, long endurance strategic UAV. IAI's UAV plant builds the Heron, while IAI - TAMAM Optronics and Navigation manufactures the payloads of cameras, thermal cameras and laser sensors.
The new contract will boost UAV sales to India to over $750 million over five years.
IAI has sold various models of UAVs worth $550 million altogether to the Indian Army, Air Force and special forces. India's armed forces operate over 100 Israeli-made UAVs.
IAI's orders backlog was $5.6 billion prior to the current contract, 65-70% of which is for export.
In the past year, IAI has signed contracts worth an aggregate $2.4 billion, including a huge $1.17 billion contract with India's Ministry of Defence for planes equipped with the Phalcon airborne early warning system, built by IAI-Elta Electronics Industries.
Next week, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is due to give IAI president and CEO Moshe Keret an award for his lifework in defense exports.
Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on November 2, 2004