The German Air Force is set to expand its fleet of Heron TP medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) drones by acquiring three additional units from Israel, according to industry reports. A €25 million ($29 million) proposal for the procurement is under preparation for parliamentary approval.
This acquisition will increase Germany’s Heron TP fleet to eight, complementing the five currently leased drones. The original leasing agreement includes an option to purchase these leased aircraft in the future. Six of the drones are slated for deployment at Jagel Air Base in Schleswig-Holstein, while two will remain at Israel’s Tel Nof Air Base, where a joint German-Israeli squadron trains German operators.
Pending parliamentary approval after the summer recess, delivery of the new drones is anticipated within two years. The Heron TP, developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), offers over 30 hours of endurance and a service ceiling of 45,000 feet (13,716 meters), making it difficult to detect. Equipped with high-resolution cameras, advanced sensors, and radars, the drone excels in monitoring critical maritime routes.
Recently, Germany deployed a Heron TP for NATO’s Baltic Sentry mission to safeguard underwater infrastructure. The new drones will feature an electromagnetic surveillance system for detecting radar and communications, enhancing their intelligence-gathering capabilities. Airbus DS Airborne Solutions, based in Bremen, will provide technical and logistical support, continuing its role from the leased fleet.
Heron TP Technical Specifications
- Role: Medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial system
- Endurance: Over 30 hours
- Service Ceiling: 45,000 feet (13,716 meters)
- Payload: High-resolution cameras, advanced sensors, radars, electromagnetic surveillance system
- Operator: Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI)
- Deployment: Jagel Air Base (Germany), Tel Nof Air Base (Israel)
