The “Aerostar” system has been selected by the Polish Ministry of National Defense as their tactical UAV for the next 20 years.
Aeronautics Ltd., based in Yavne, announced today (Monday) that it will supply Aerostar UAV (unmanned aerial vehicles) systems to Polish Military Forces operating in Afghanistan. The supply contract, which exceeds $30 million, was signed last Thursday in Poland.
Aeronautics, Israel’s leading UAV manufacturer, competed against Israel’s other two chief UAV developers – Elbit Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries. The selection process lasted about 18 months, although some acceleration occurred during the last few months on account of increased Polish military operations in Afghanistan.
As part of the deal, Aeronautics will provide the Polish military with 2 Aerostar systems, which include a total of 8 UAVs, as well as Ground Control Stations (GCS), a simulator system, support in establishing an operational UAV squadron in Afghanistan and support for training to be conducted in Poland. “Essentially, the selection process existed in order to decide which tactical UAV system will best serve the Polish military during the next 20 years. We believe that the Aerostar TUAV systems will continue to be supplied during the next years as well”, said Avi Leumi, Aeronautics CEO, upon winning the bid.
Aeronautics has for a time been supplying the Polish Army (Land Forces and Special Forces units) with its “Orbiter” mini-UAV systems. These systems are currently active in Afghanistan, and have been used in the past by the Polish military in Iraq and additional international missions. To date around 50 “Orbiter” mini-UAVs have been delivered to the Polish military.
Among its category, “Aerostar” is the most advanced tactical UAV system in the world. The UAV is currently under the employment of 15 customers worldwide, among them the IDF, the US Navy, the Turkish Army and the Dutch Army, the latter using it for a variety of intelligence missions in Afghanistan. The Aerostar platform, which weighs 230 kilograms, is capable of reaching altitudes of 6 kilometers and operating at ranges of around 250 kilometres from its ground control station. “Aerostar” can carry a wide range of intelligence payloads, including day and night electro-optical payloads, radars, electronic reconnaissance systems and communication relays.
“The Polish Ministry of National Defense selecting the Aerostar is a sign of the faith they have in Aeronautics and the quality of our systems; this is based, of course, upon several years worth of experience accumulated during our joint efforts”, stated Leumi, thereafter adding “Poland is a leading power in NATO, and this vote of confidence serves as another cornerstone to our success in NATO and European countries”.
