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Czech Republic to Purchase Three Heron Drones From Israel


The acquisition comes as part of the Czech Army’s “Capability Building Concept,” an initiative to build up the service’s unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) capabilities for aerial reconnaissance, combat support, and ground unit protection.

The ministry expects contract negotiations to be finalized by the end of this year.

Minister of Defense Jana Černochová explained the Czech and Israeli government are in direct negations with each other. “It will enable us to set up long-term cooperation and ensure the operation, repairs, and supply of spare parts for the supplied military equipment throughout its lifetime,” she added.

 

Possible Use Outside Czechia

 

The defense ministry explained that it chose the Heron as a result of recent market consultations concerning which drone would best meet the Czech Army’s requirements. Israel Aerospace Industries Heron emerged as the favorite.

“The selected system most closely corresponds to the expected use within the army and meets future requirements for full-scale use, both on the territory of the Czech Republic as part of training, and for possible use as part of supporting units in foreign operations,” Colonel Pavel Nakládal said.

The next step is negotiating “with the aim of achieving the lowest possible price” and the shortest possible delivery date, the ministry of defense said.

 

The Heron UAV

 

Developed by Israel Aerospace Industries, the Heron is a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle “for strategic and tactical missions,” according to the company website.

The drone features a maximum flight time of up to 45 hours, a maximum altitude of 35,000 feet (10.5 kilometers), and a payload capacity of up to 470 kilograms (1,034 pounds).

 

Operational history

 

The Heron saw significant use during Operation Cast Lead in Gaza of 2008–2009. During the deployment, each brigade combat team was assigned a UAV squadron for close support. This was the first Israeli operation in which UAVs, helicopters, and fighter jets were allocated to ground forces directly without IAF central command authorizing sorties. Air-support controller teams operated alongside brigade commanders at the front emphasizing the brigade commander's utilization of direct air assets. A high degree of situational awareness was achieved by maintaining at least a dozen UAVs in flight over Gaza at all times. Aerial surveillance was provided by Heron and Hermes 450 UAVs and Apache attack helicopters. Along with coordination between the air force and ground troops, Israeli ground forces were able to utilize cooperation with the Israel Security Agency by having operatives attached to the forward units. This inter-service coordination allowed for a higher level of tactical awareness and the ability to strike time-critical targets.

Other countries operating the Heron include Singapore, India, and Turkey.  France operates a derivative of Heron named Eagle or Harfang.  In 2008, Canada announced a plan to lease a Heron for use in Afghanistan, starting in 2009.  In mid-2009, Australia leased two Herons as part of a multimillion-dollar lease to operate the vehicles in Afghanistan.  In early July 2013, the Heron reached 15,000 flight hours over Afghanistan.  Australia concluded its use of the Heron in support of Operation Slipper in Afghanistan on 30 November 2014, after it had accumulated 27,000 flight hours. Royal Australian Air Force retired two Herons in June 2017.

Beginning in 2021, Malta-based Herons have been used by Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, to monitor migrant activity in the southern Mediterranean Sea. This activity drew controversy when it was announced that the data gathered would be shared with countries including Libya and Tunisia. The concern was that the data could be used to force irregular migrants back to their point of departure, denying them the opportunity to seek asylum in other countries.

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