Greek Frontex on Track to Deploy Leased UAVs for Maritime Patrol

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency, has granted a permit for the use of Israel Aerospace Industries' Heron 1 UAV to be flown in civilian airspace.

The approval was granted through the Greek civilian aviation authority, allowing the system to be used as an operational aircraft in the European Border and Coast Guard Agency. The UAV flights will be carried out in European civil airspace, in accordance with civil flight procedure, with "no military intervention or control." The Heron 1 was selected for lease by the Greek army in 2020 to support its Frontex border and maritime patrol duties with the Medium Altitude, Long Endurance UAV. Under the deal, IAI, and its strategic partner Airbus DS Airborne Solutions, will provide services for pre-planned assignments and ad-hoc calls for the Heron fleet, with an option to purchase the aircraft at the end of a 3-year term. 

The Heron 1 UAV is equipped with electro-optical, day/night vision, and marine surveillance radar that provides operators with an "up-to-date, real time, accurate intelligence picture," according to company literature. The Heron is capable of direct link during LOS flight, with an automated transition to satellite linkage when flying BVLOS.

 “IAI is extremely proud that our proprietary UAV is flying in Europe’s civil airspace," said Moshe Levy, executive VP of IAI's military aircraft group. Together with our partners at Airbus, we are ready to provide Frontex with the best possible service to help them fulfill their every need. IAI’s Heron has already accumulated over 500,000 operational flying hours globally with countless successful missions. We look forward to seeing it succeed yet again.”

FMI: www.iai.co.il