Russia has acquired 12 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) from Israel as part of a military cooperation agreement.

Israel has delivered two Bird Eye 400 systems worth $4m, eight I View mk150 tactical UAVs worth $37m and two Searcher mkII multimission UAVs worth $12m to Russia under a contract signed in April 2009.

Israel will also deliver 36 additional UAVs worth $100m by the end of 2010 as part of the agreement, according to RIA Novosti.

Russia needs up to 100 UAVs and at least ten guidance and control systems to ensure effective battlefield reconnaissance.

Russian Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said 50 servicemen were currently undergoing training to operate the UAVs.