IAF Herons take on growing maritime patrol role

[Zarvan]

The Israeli Air Force is acquiring additional IAI Maritime Herons. Source: IAI

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) Heron 1 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) will soon receive a radar upgrade to better equip them for their growing role in carrying out maritime patrol and intelligence gathering missions, IHS Jane's has learned.

Lieutenant Colonel A (full name withheld for security reasons), the commander of the IAF's 'First UAV Squadron', told IHS Jane's that the Israeli Navy sit in joint operations cabins at his unit's headquarters at Palmachim Air Base, south of Tel Aviv. He said this was a reflection of the growing role that the squadron is playing in maritime operations.

"The trend is to transfer as many missions from manned platforms like those conducted by Seascan [maritime patrol] planes, to unmanned platforms," he said. "This decreases risk to personnel... and is efficient from a budgetary standpoint. It costs less to maintain drones."

The 'First UAV Squadron' flies Heron 1 (Shoval) aircraft that are made by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and officially entered IAF service in 2007. They carry out maritime patrols on a daily basis and are set to soon reach thousands of mission hours a year, the squadron commander said.

The IAF will purchase additional platforms in the coming months and will have "dozens" of Heron 1 systems at its disposal by next year. "We are receiving more drones, and we will upgrade their radars at the end of the year. We will also integrate the camera and radar systems," the commander said, declining to provide further details of the upgrades.

Lt Col A said the platform is key to Israel's ability to deal with a rapidly changing maritime situation. "The Russians are now in the Mediterranean, challenging our presence. How do we continue to guard our borders and assets without approaching the wrong vessel, being shot down, and dragging the country into a diplomatic adventure?" he said.

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