Ethiopia to Buy Unmanned Planes From Israel

May 24, 2011 (Ezega.com) - Ethiopia has signed an agreement with Israeli manufacturer BlueBird Aero Systems to purchase unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), according to Defenseweb report. Addis Ababa also seeks BlueBird’s help in establishing maintenance facilities for the UAV. According to Flight International, as a result of the deal with BlueBird, the Ethiopian Army will receive upgraded versions of Boomerang and SpyLite security systems. However, BlueBird has not revealed any details about the deal. BlueBird is a world leader in the design, development, and production of small UAVs and peripheral equipment for homeland security and civilian markets. It specializes in the production of Boomerang, Blueye, MicroB, and SkyLiteB. BlueBird describes Boomerang as a man-portable, catapult-launched reconnaissance UAV having a payload capacity of 2.5 kg with three-hour-long endurance loitering and surveillance system. The fuel cell powered aircraft has high reliability, operating in the day as well as night. Equipped with a lightweight electro-optical, airborne sensor, Boomerang can be carried for tactical "Over-the-Hill" reconnaissance during the day. The SpyLite is also a small UAV designed to supply visual intelligence for military and civilian use, with long endurance and covering an extended range. It can be operated in a longer endurance mode, having a high capacity battery and longer wing tips. Weighing only 40 kg, SpyLite flies in any weather condition, including rain and storm. Ease of use, lightweight, operational flexibility, and complete ISR and tracking system are other benefits of SpyLite’s combat proven system. According to Israeli reports, the demand for UAVs is increasingly rising in Africa, with African nations, looking for cost-effective security systems and equipment to monitor long fragile borders and infrastructure, such as oil installations. UAVs are a less-labor intensive way of controlling areas rich in natural resources. Another Israeli manufacturer Aeronautics Defence Systems signed a contract with Ugandan Army to supply Obiter aerial vehicles earlier this year. Angola is another African country striving to purchase UAVs. According to reports, it is eager to sign a deal with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) seeking purchase of Heron UAVs. Meanwhile, aiming to promote the Heron in Africa, the IAI has conducted flight demonstrations in Kenya and Angola, the IAI remains silent on marketing the system. In 2003, Angola signed a $4million deal with Israel’s Aeronautics Defence Systems for Aerostar UAS, having a 50-kg payload and 14-hour-long endurance. Ethiopian Fragile Borders Unmanned aerial vehicles are important for Ethiopia because of its fragile borders, especially with Eritrea, Kenya, and Sudan. Recently, severe violence erupted along the Ethiopia-Eritrea border, in which both sides lost many lives. The deal to purchase UAVs from Israel will add to the strength of the Ethiopian Army and boost its morale.