Germany to buy Heron drones from Israel

Germany plans to purchase three Heron drones from Israel for nearly €1 billion, expanding its existing fleet to eight, despite European calls for pressure on Israel to halt its Gaza offensive. 

The deal, part of over 80 military procurement orders set for parliamentary approval this year, includes spare parts, training, and is expected to cost €930 million when operating expenses through 2034 are included, Bloomberg writes.

Israel’s Defence Ministry will be the main contractor, with Israel Aerospace Industries leading production and German firms Plath GmbH and Airbus DS Airborne Solutions fulfilling key roles.

Approval for the Heron purchase is expected in a closed-door budget committee meeting on September 10.

Lawmakers are also set to approve the purchase of up to 4,500 Patria six-wheeled armoured personnel carriers from Finland’s Patria Land Oy, as part of the Common Armored Vehicles System (CAVS) program with NATO allies.

The vehicles, which will replace Germany’s aging Fuchs fleet, are estimated to cost €1 million each, with the full contract worth €3.5–4.5 billion over 10 years.

By Sabina Mammadli