Tel Aviv. Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) will supply two advanced special mission aircraft to an undisclosed customer. The US $1.9 billion government to government (G-G) contract was signed by the Israeli ministry of defence and the foreign government. Work on the two special mission aircraft will take seven (7) years.
IAI president & CEO, Boaz Levy said that the company is proud to have signed this strategic and wide-ranging contract, which testifies to the close cooperation we have with the Ministry of Defence, together with our customers around the world.
“We see the signing of the contract as a significant expression of confidence on the part of the client and the defence establishment, in the technological superiority of the Aerospace Industry, which continues to produce groundbreaking solutions for the security of the State of Israel and our allies around the world,” said Boaz Levy.
IAI is a major supplier of special mission aircraft. The Israeli air force (IAF) operates two types based on the Gulstream G-550 executive jets. In 2007, Singapore purchased four special mission aircraft from IAI. These are also based on the G-550. Some years ago, Italy also purchased two special mission aircraft from IAI. These are also based on the G-550.
IAI’s ELTA division offers a variety of special mission aircraft for aerial, ground and maritime surveillance, providing multi-mission capabilities. ELTA has unique experience in converting business jets and military aircraft to cutting-edge multi-mission AEW&C, AGS/ISTAR, MPA, SIGINT & EW special mission aircraft. ELTA’s turnkey solutions integrate advanced AESA Radars, high-performance SIGINT, EO/IR sensors, advanced mission system and comprehensive communications suite, as well as ground stations. ELTA is a pioneer in the use of business jets as special mission aircraft.
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
