Tel Aviv: Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Elcom Systems Pvt Limited signed an memorandum of understanding (MoU) to work collaboratively on MRO and upgrades of unmanned aerial vehicles. The MoU is a further commitment of IAI’s support for the Indian government’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ – Make in India vision.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Shiv Vikram Khemka, Vice Chairman, Elcom/SUN Group; V.V. Sivakumar, Executive Director, SUN Group, Director, Elcom; Maj Gen Naresh C. Badhani (Retd), Director-MRO Services, Elcom Systems; Amir Peretz, Chairman of IAI and Boaz Levi, President and CEO of IAI.
This follows previous agreements IAI has made with Elcom Systems to work together on MRO of the Heron UAV and for the maintenance of advanced Heron MKII UAVs that IAI provided to the military forces in India.
“India is a strategic partner for Israel and IAI. We are excited about this next chapter with Elcom Systems Pvt Limited and furthering our work in India where even the sky is not the limit,” said Boaz Levi, President and CEO, IAI.
Heron MK II is a Medium Altitude long endurance (MALE) UAV and an updated model of the Heron UAV, which is used by the Israeli Air Force and is operational with over 20 other organisations worldwide. Using the most advanced technologies developed by IAI to date, the Heron MK II is a strategic and versatile aircraft capable of carrying diverse payloads.
Fitted with a Rotax 916 iS engine, the Heron MK II can reach an altitude of 35,000 feet, a maximum speed of 150 knots and can remain in the air for 45 consecutive hours. Due to improved manufacturing technologies, the Heron MK II has a wider and stronger body structure, allowing for quick and easy maintenance without adding to its weight.
The Heron MK II enables new configurations, such as long-range observation Sensors and Radars, and can carry a wide range of additional payloads such as ELINT, COMINT, ESM, Communication Relay, Special and more. The standout feature of the Heron MK II is its ability to perform Standoff Capability, gathering intelligence from tens of kilometres away without crossing borders, thanks to its ability to carry larger and improved sensors.
-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
