Israel Aerospace Industries makes its mark in Indian UAV market

Published 12 February 2007

IAI has sold more than 100 of its Searcher Mark II and Heron models; company is in discussion with local Speck Systems for joint development of the Baaz; keeping tabs on Jammu and Kashmir a key Indian concern

In a recentl report we noted that the Indian Coast Guard had decided to expand with a planned acquisition of fifteen new ships and twenty-three new aircraft, including UAVs. The only question was, which UAVs? Perhaps some guidance on the matter might be provided by recent goings-on with the Indian Army and Navy, both of which are in close consultation with both local and Israeli companies to supply them. Leading the pack is Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), which has sold the Indian Army 100 of its Searcher Mark II reconaissance drones — with an option to purchase an addittional 100 — and has also sold the Indian armed forces sixteen of its Heron long-endurance medium-altitude UAVs. IAI is also currently in negotiations with Hyderabad-based Speck Systems, the indigeonous manufacturer of the Baaz mini UAV, to jointly develop the future UAV systems for the Indian military.

The Baaz is said to be comparable to IAI’s Eye 410, I-View MK50 and Birdeye 2000 models, as well as EADS’s Eurohawk and the Golden Eagle under joint development by Singapore and Israel. It will be used by the Indian Army for patrolling the Jammu and Kashmir region.

-read more in Suman Sharma’s Daily India report