Technical specifications of the new Israeli reconnaissance drone Heron revealed

The European external border protection agency Frontex announced the purchase of a new Israeli-made unmanned aerial vehicle to strengthen maritime surveillance. This step is aimed at improving the monitoring of the external borders of the European Union in the context of growing security challenges at sea, Naval News reports.

The new UAV will likely be based on one of the advanced platforms from the Israeli company IAI (Israel Aerospace Industries). It is designed to patrol coastal areas, combat illegal migration, smuggling and other threats. The drone is equipped with modern optoelectronic sensors, radars and long-term monitoring systems, which allows it to conduct operations in various weather conditions and at any time of the day. The contract also includes technical support, operator training and integration of the system into the existing EU maritime surveillance network. According to Frontex representatives, the use of Israeli UAVs will provide significant operational flexibility and allow for a more effective response to incidents in maritime areas of responsibility.

The European Union's interest in Israeli UAVs is explained by their proven effectiveness in military and civilian missions. Similar systems are successfully used worldwide for border monitoring, in particular in complex operations on water.

This agreement reflects the EU's desire to strengthen its security instruments, taking into account modern challenges in the field of migration, the fight against organized crime and border protection. The new UAV is expected to become a key element in ensuring stability at the external borders of the European Union.