09-05-2009, 09:23
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חבר מתאריך: 24.08.08
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הצבא הגרמני מעוניין לרכוש את המל"ט הרון 1
המל"ט הרון 1 הוצע על ידי התעשיה האווירית (IAI) וחברת ריינמטל עבור פרויקט SAATEG, וחברה גרמנית אחרת (Dihel) חברה עם החברה האמריקאית General Atomics Aeronautical Systems בכדי להציע את המל"ט "MQ-9 Reaper " לפרויקט, וכנראה שבסופו של דבר חיל האוויר הגרמני העדיף את המל"ט הישראלי על פני המתחרים האחרים שהיו יקרים מדי...
Germany to choose cheaper UAV “interim solution” from IAI
09:30 GMT, May 4, 2009 Even though the wording has changed, the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) seem to have come to a decision concerning its SAATEG project (imaging surveillance system for the depth of the deployment theatre). Originally looking for a solution providing an “initial capability”, the Bundeswehr now speaks of an “interim solution”, resulting in the probable leasing of Heron 1 reconnaissance UAVs. As the German weekly, “Der Spiegel” reported last week, the solution offered by Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) and Rheinmetall is being favoured over the US MQ-9 Reaper (formally Predator B) and a “domestic” development programme by EADS – as both alternatives are considered too expensive.
Intending to improve its reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities in Afghanistan, the Bundeswehr prefers to procure a solution already introduced in the market and in service, according to official sources quoted by “Der Spiegel”. Heron has been operational since 2006 within the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) and has also been successfully integrated into a foreign service when it was acquired by the Canadian government. The Canadians are leasing the Heron system (one ground station with three Heron UAVs) through the end of 2010 for some US$ 90 million and, with the assistance of Canada’s MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates (MDA), has deployed the system in only seven months. Based in Kandahar, the Canadian Herons have been flying in Afghanistan since February 2009.
Whether the Bundeswehr is also able to quickly deploy the Heron is questionable, yet the requirement for an imaging surveillance system in the Afghanistan theatre is imperative. As long as the operation has been underway, the German press and various forums have repeatedly discussed the issue. Interesting reporting, exclusively in the German language, can be found at www.geopowers.com, critically reviewing the decision-making process and the favouring of a leasing solution over the purchase of such a system:
“It has to be noticed that the Germans have arrived at ‘leasing’ with most central matters of military capabilities, as the cash box is gaping empty. […] The silver bullet ‘leasing’ is now honourably being admitted into the Valhall of the German armament policy of ‘postponing, stretching, striking.’”
Further, one internet forum contribution suggests the following reason for the recent decision: A “possible lack of technology transfer and supply issues with regards to Predator-B, with the BWB [Bundeswehr Procurement Agency] in the last couple years occasionally having supply issues (late deliveries of spare parts etc) with a number of US systems, in particular flying systems.”
The awarding of a direct contract is scheduled to take place in May and to be signed by the end of 2009. However, the exact number of systems to be leased has not been specified. Estimates from different sources range from three to five systems. For the deployment and maintenance of the system, a German-Israeli company is to be created.
According to “Der Spiegel”, a further decision on the acquisition or development of an unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) will only be made after a number of years and the initial experience with the “interim solution”. Furthermore, EADS’ hope for the green light for a € 600 million “Advanced UAS” development programme is said to have been concluded, as reportedly, no money is available for this project.
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