Israel Aerospace Industries signs a cooperation agreement with IAR Brasov for to share drone tech and produce UAVs

By Andra Beltz
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has signed a cooperation agreement with the Romanian defense company IAR-Brasov for the production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), according to a press release.
The cooperation agreement will allow the two companies to offer in Romania advanced UAV solutions, based on the Tactical Heron platform from IAI. Based on the agreement, the UAV systems will be manufactured in Brașov, Romania. Also, IAI will establish in Romania an academy for the training of operators and technicians for UAV systems.
Tactical Heron is a UAV designed for tactical missions on the battlefield and serves mainly ground forces. The UAV can perform several missions with different payloads and includes the most advanced technologies that the IAI can offer. This model is part of the IAI UAV family and is designed based on the company’s extensive knowledge of the field and accumulated over almost 50 years.
The cooperation agreement is based on the vast experience of both IAI and IAR-Brasov in design, manufacture, assembly and testing activities, in order to develop the most advanced Tactical Heron UAV model. Following a transfer of knowledge, the design, production of components and their integration, assembly and maintenance will all be carried out in Romania. From the construction and assembly of components, to staff training, modernization and maintenance of aircraft, Romanian engineers and experts will lead the process of developing UAVs.
Moshe Levy, executive vice president and general manager of the military aircraft division at IAI: “I am delighted to witness the signing of the agreement with IAR-Brașov, one of the leading companies in Romania. We are witnessing a growing global trend of ‘Make In’, in which countries prefer to produce on their own rather than import. IAI aligns with this policy and collaborates with local companies around the world, in this case Romania, an important country to which IAI strives to continue to provide the best UAV systems in the world. ”
Director General of the IAR-Brasov, gral-lt. (r) Laurian Anastasof: “IAI is an important, internationally renowned aerospace and defense company. The signing of this cooperation agreement between IAR-Brașov and IAI represents an important recognition from our partners of our value and expertise. Our specialists recently visited the IAI factory in Malat and we are confident that the agreement between IAR and IAI will generate value for both parties. The production at IAR Brașov of UAVs such as Tactical Heron, which incorporates the latest technologies worldwide, will be a major addition for our company’s business and for the image and reputation of the Romanian defense industry in general. ”
Tactical Heron is an advanced and innovative tactical UAV, leader in the industry, with highly developed performance capabilities. Heron boasts one of the highest flight safety and reliability ratings in the world and is able to operate in extreme weather conditions. In addition, it has a state-of-the-art engine, licensed and with proven capabilities, which allows to reach a maximum flight altitude of 7,300 meters, a speed of 120 knots and a payload of 180 kilograms. This UAV can carry several payloads simultaneously and is equipped with the best IAI sensors. Tactical Heron meets globally accepted standards and regulations, as well as the requirements of NATO STANAG 4671.
Israel Aerospace Industries has extensive knowledge and experience in the field of UAVs, accumulated over almost 50 years of activity, amounting to almost 2 million flight hours and over 50 operational customers worldwide. They are part of the IAI’s DNA as a national and global focal point for technological expertise in the field of air defense, radar, satellite, remote controlled aircraft, flight and cybernetics.
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is a world-leading aerospace and defense company that innovates and provides state-of-the-art technologies for space, air, land, naval, cybernetics and internal security for defense and commercial markets. Today, IAI has government and commercial clients in more than 100 countries around the world. Its sales in 2020 exceeded $ 4.2 billion (a historic record for the company).