The defense ministries of Israel and Greece have reached an agreement on the lease of a Heron multi altitude long endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), system manufacturer Israel Aerospace Industries announced on May 6.
Under the terms of the agreement, Israel’s defense ministry will lease a Heron UAV to the Hellenic Armed Forces for a duration of three years.
Greece will have an option to acquire the system upon completion of the leasing period. Equipped with both day and night activity platforms, maritime patrol radars and satellite communications, the Heron will support the Greek armed forces in maritime patrol, marine and land border protection, search and rescue, and disaster management duties.
The system is already operational in the IDF and has demonstrated its capabilities in Greece as well.
“The great security relations between Israel and Greece are expanding. We see great importance in the choice made by Greece to equip its forces with an Israeli system, particularly during the global corona crisis,” Head of the International Defense Cooperation Directorate (SIBAT), Brig. Gen. (Res.), Yair Kulas, said.
“The agreement with Greece is yet another example of the successful leasing model promoted by IAI in many parts of the world,” executive VP and general manager of the military aircraft group of Israel Aerospace Industries, Moshe Levy, commented. “With over 1.8 million operational flight hours, and in use by more than fifty partners worldwide, the UAVs are equipped with payloads that meet a variety of requirements aligned with the operational scenarios presented.”
