Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is to provide Heron medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to Germany.

The 1,200kg Heron can reach an altitude of 30,000ft and can loiter for over 30 hours.

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Under the contract, the German forces will lease the UAV system for a year, with an option on a two year-extension.

The UAV will provide the air force with comprehensive situational awareness in northern Afghanistan with wide area real-time reconnaissance and surveillance data for German International Security Assistance Force troops.

Rheinmetall Defence will supply in-theatre logistical and maintenance services for the UAV.

Flight operations will begin in mid-March 2010.

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