TIM RIPLEY / LONDON
British MoD is fast-tracking deal to quickly offer country's troops peacekeeping support
Negotiations are in the final stages between the US Department of Defense and the UK Ministry of Defence to let UK forces in Iraq use General Atomics MQ/RQ-1 Predator unmanned air vehicles in support of their peacekeeping operations. UK personnel are already in the USA to receive training on the system in anticipation of a successful outcome to the talks, say ministry sources.
The final shape of the deal is unclear, but the MoD says "no decisions have been taken. We are considering a range of options and keeping operational requirements under review to identify capability gaps. We are working closely with the USA on this issue."
According to UK sources close to the talks, one option could see the UK leasing a small number of Predator air vehicles and a ground control station that would form part of a new joint UK/US UAV unit.
Another alternative would see the UK pay a percentage of the operating costs of the US Air Force's Predator units based in Iraq, in return for the UK divisional headquarters being able to draw on the type for a number of hours of flight time. Access to the US communications network that distributes Predator imagery is likely to be a major part of the current negotiations. If confirmed, this arrangement would be similar to the one made to allow the UK to buy imagery from US reconnaissance satellites.
Flight International understands that the Predator deal is being fast-tracked by the MoD to enable British troops to have UAV support in Iraq before high temperatures make it impossible for the Royal Artillery's BAE Systems Phoenix UAV to operate. The UK's replacement Watchkeeper UAV capability will enter service in 2006.
A possible use for the Predator system would be in monitoring fuel pipelines near the UK's area of operations around the southern Iraqi city of Basra. This mission is being undertaken by Royal Air Force BAE Nimrod MR2 maritime patrol aircraft.
If completed, the Predator deal will be conducted under an urgent operational requirement (UOR) identified for a wide-area surveillance asset. The UKspent £550 million ($1 billion)on UORs in relation to Operation Iraqi Freedom. Other UAV acquisitions made through this process include the purchase of around 31 Desert Hawk and 12 Buster backpackable mini-UAVs to meet close surveillance requirements.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY CRAIG HOYLE IN LONDON
Source: Flight International
