Israel will deliver 10 HERON TP MALE armed drones to armed forces of India 10504175

Defense & Security News - India
 
Israel will deliver 10 HERON TP MALE armed drones to armed forces of India.
The Israeli HERON TP MALE (Medium Altitude Long Endurance) UAV System will enter in service with the Indian armed forces. A total of 10 Heron TP armed drones were under procurement process since 2015.
     
The Israeli HERON TP MALE (Medium Altitude Long Endurance) UAV System will enter in service with the Indian armed forces. A total of 10 Heron TP armed drones were under procurement process since 2015.
Heron TP at ILA Air Show in Germany (Photo Airbusgroup)
     
According to the Economic Times newspaper website, the first Heron armed drones are ready in Israel. It will give the capability to armed forces of India to carry out stand off cross-border air strikes.

During Aero India, in February 2017, the Company IAI (Israel Aerospace Industries) has announced a new export-version of its long-range Heron TP unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

The Heron TP features an all-composite airframe with high-wing cantilever monoplane design. It has a length of 14 meters and a wingspan of 26 m.

The Heron TP has been in service with the Israeli Defence Forces since 2009 and is similar to the American Reaper. It is motorized with 1,200 hp. turboprop engine. With a weight of 4.6 ton, the Heron TP can operate at 14,500 meters.

The Heron TP can be used for both reconnaissance as well as combat and support roles, and can carry air-to-ground missiles.

Currently, the Indian Air Force operates around 180 Israeli- made UAVs, including 108 IAI-made Searchers and 68 unarmed Heron 1s for surveillance and intelligence missions.

In just 6 months’ time, the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) deployed the Heron reconnaissance drone aircraft to Mali in support of the MINUSMA United Nations mission. The aircraft system is now fully operational. The aircraft has been leased from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and has undergone maintenance and overhaul work by Airbus Defence and Space Airborne Solutions GmbH (ADAS).