Aircraft
France and Germany Sign MALE UAV Pact
The Talarion MALE UAV proposed by EADS appeared in model form again at the ILA Berlin airshow, this time labeled as “European UAS.” (Photo: Chris Pocock)
The Talarion MALE UAV proposed by EADS appeared in model form again at the ILA Berlin airshow, this time labeled as “European UAS.” (Photo: Chris Pocock)

On the day after the merger talks between EADS and BAE Systems became public this week, the French and German governments signed a cooperation agreement on future medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAVs. The two nations will develop a common operational requirement, and may also jointly operate an interim solution. Both countries currently fly the Israeli Heron 1 system in Afghanistan, but their respective air forces have been pressing for a replacement. France has considered but not confirmed the larger Heron TP, to be provided by Dassault Aviation. At the ILA Berlin airshow this week, Rheinmetall (now an EADS subsidiary) displayed a model of the Heron TP but declined to discuss with AIN its proposal to supply this UAV to the German armed forces. Meanwhile, both France and Germany have been considering a purchase of Reaper UAVs from General Atomics in the U.S.