Israel and Russia Sign Military Cooperation Agreement

Israel and Russia recently signed a long term military cooperation agreement and are negotiating the establishment of a joint venture to develop and produce unmanned aerial vehicles in Russia. Israel’s minister of defense Ehud Barak and his host, Russian minister of defense, Anatoly Serdyukov signed a military cooperation agreement paving the way for tighter cooperation in the field of unmanned systems, counter terrorism and asymmetric, urban warfare.

“It is very important to us that in the transition to a new image, the Russian armed forces use the experience the Israeli armed forces have and the work they have done” Serdyukov said, adding Russia has bought 12 UAV systems from Israel, and 50 servicemen are currently being trained to operate them. The acquisition of Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) UAVs was one of the first procurements foreign systems completed by the Russians.

The twelve UAVs Russia has acquired were delivered by IAI off-the-shelf, to fulfill ad-hoc requirements for Russian military and Russian homeland security uses. Among the off-the-shelf available systems were two Bird Eye 400 systems, eight I-View MK150 tactical UAVs and two Searcher Mk II tactical short range UAVs. Some 50 Russian military servicemen are currently undergoing Israeli training in the use of these systems.

A second contract worth $100 million is expected to be delivered this year. In order to approve the deal, the Israel Ministry of Defense (MOD) required that IAI establish a Joint Venture with a Russian partner, to establish a UAV development and production center in Russia. Prospects for the Russian demand for such systems are estimated at $300 million. According to various estimates, the Russian military needs up to 100 UAVs and at least 10 guidance and control systems to ensure effective battlefield reconnaissance.

Russians were also after more advanced Israeli UAVs of the Heron 1 class, but after long deliberation Israel’s defense ministry decided to exclude such advanced systems as ‘too sensitive’ for transfer to the eastern bloc.

From here

تنسيق-الكليات-لعام سكس نيك كس

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