The Indian media reports Israel Aerospace Industries will upgrade Searcher and Heron UAVs for the Indian armed forces.
The Indian media reports that Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (IAI) (TASE: ARSP.B1) will upgrade unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) for the Indian armed forces in a $958 million project.
The reports state that the Indian Air Force, Army, and Navy operate a fleet of 150 UAVs procured from IAI, beginning in the 1990s. The Indian Army operates about 100 Searchers along the western, eastern, and northern borders, and the Indian Air Force Searcher II and Heron UAVs for reconnaissance and surveillance missions. The sources add that, once the upgrades are complete, the Air Force will be able to use the aircraft for long-range missions and control them through satellite communication systems. The Indian Navy operates UAVs along India's eastern and western littorals.
IAI refused to respond to the report.
Collaboration between the Indian armed services and IAI has greatly expanded in recent years. Deals include a $1.4 billion contract signed two years ago for the supply of Barak ship defense missiles and other systems.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on October 3, 2012
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