(NSI News Source Info) January 19, 2009: Israel's Aeronautics Defense Systems is to supply unmanned air vehicle capacity to Dutch troops serving with the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, with the Netherlands having had no available replacement for its current Sagem Sperwer systems, which will return from the country in March.
The IAI Harpy is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) produced by Israel's Israel Aircraft Industries. The Harpy is designed to attack radar systems. It carries a high explosive warhead. The Harpy has been sold to several foreign nations, including South Korea, Turkey, India, and China. In 2004, the Harpy became the focus of the effort by the United States to restrict arms transfers and the sales of advanced military technology to China. Sold to China in 1994 for around $US 55 million, the UAVs were returned to Israel in 2004 under contract to be upgraded. The United States demanded that Israel seize the UAVs and nullify the contract. According to the United States, the Harpy contains U.S. technology; according to Israel, the Harpy is an indigenously designed UAV. In 2005, the UAVs were returned to China without being upgraded. This incident chilled relations between the United States and Israel, with Israel being suspended from its status as Security Cooperative Participant in the Joint Strike Fighter program. As of November 6, 2005, however, Israel has stated that it has been re-admitted into the program.
Following a market review, Aeronautics was identified as the only company able to provide both the hardware and support required within the limited timeframe available.
The Dutch defence ministry has not released details of the equipment to be supplied, but possible tactical unmanned air vehicle options could include the Aeronautics Aerostar or Aerolight products. However, with Israeli personnel not authorised to operate inside Afghanistan, system operators are expected to be provided by subcontractors from the UK and the USA.
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