Israeli sources expect Berlin's planned introduction of the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) Heron TP unmanned air system to be advanced following German Chancellor Angela Merkel's re-election.
Final approval for the deal is required from the German parliament and this is likely to be sought swiftly, following the formation of a new coalition government.
Plans to clear the deal prior to the election were blocked by Merkel's then-coalition partner the Social Democratic Party, following suggestions by the German defence ministry that its leased unmanned air vehicles could be armed with precision-guided weapons.
Parliamentary backing represents the final hurdle in the way of the German air force acquiring the Heron TP, with a legal challenge by MQ-9 Reaper producer General Atomics Aeronautical Systems having been rejected in July.
Once fielded, the Heron TP will provide the German air force with a medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned surveillance capability until a European product under study in conjunction with France and Italy becomes available.
Separately, IAI is also hoping to gain selection in India with a version of its Heron 1. The company recently submitted an offer to supply the type equipped with a variety of sensors, suitable for use during air force, army and navy operations.
The response to a request for information also includes a proposed co-operation with Indian companies Dynamatic Technologies and Elcom Systems, under a pact spanning local production, assembly and support.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
