Israel Aerospace Industries closes $160m drone deal with Vietnam

Last month, IAI lost out in bids worth hundreds of millions of dollars for two major tenders for UAVs.

By YUVAL AZULAI/GLOBES

DECEMBER 10, 2018 09:13

AN IAI HERON stands on the tarmac during a media presentation in Emmen, Switzerland, in 2012 (photo credit: REUTERS) — AN IAI HERON stands on the tarmac during a media presentation in Emmen, Switzerland, in 2012

(photo credit: REUTERS)

TNS - Over the past few days, Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (IAI) has agreed a deal to sell three drones to the Vietnamese government for $160 million. The Heron type 1 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) will be used by the Vietnamese military for a range of routine missions including maritime patrols.

The Asian media reported that the UAVs will be equipped in such a way that they can take off and land automatically and will be capable of operating in extreme weather conditions.

The Heron UAVs being supplied to the Vietnamese will be able to operate up to a range of about 350 kilometers over periods of up to 50 hours and be able to carry payloads of up to a quarter of a ton - all according to the mission on which it has been sent.

The deal has finally been agreed after a protracted period of uncertainty and delays. According to one of the reports, the deal has been achieved after the personal intervention of Ministry of Defense director general General (res) Udi Adam.

IAI declined to comment on the reports.

Last month, IAI lost out in bids worth hundreds of millions of dollars for two major tenders for UAVs. The tenders had been issued by the Belgian and Australian militaries and both bids were won by US company General Atomics.

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