Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Germany Confirms Desire for Larger Heron UAV
Negotiations are underway for the Heron TP to replace the Heron 1 in a lease contract operated by Airbus D&S
Germany is upgrading to the larger Heron TP from IAI – pending development of a Euro-MALE. (Airbus D&S via Bundeswehr)
Germany is upgrading to the larger Heron TP from IAI – pending development of a Euro-MALE. (Airbus D&S via Bundeswehr)

The German defense ministry confirmed that it wants to lease IAI Heron TPs as a replacement for the smaller Heron 1 UAVs that it has used over Afghanistan and may soon also fly in support of its troops deployed to Mali. The move came despite Germany’s lead role in the proposed Euro-MALE program, although Berlin was careful to note that the new lease would only “fill a gap” before that project comes to fruition in 2025.