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Articles
Harper government ends ‘biased policy,’ buys Israeli UAVsPosted On 09/24/08
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TORONTO – Canada’s decision to supply its troops in Afghanistan with two Israeli models of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), starting in February 2009, brings to an end a long-standing policy in the defence ministry that had prohibited the purchase of Israeli equipment.
Indeed, the policy was so rigourously enforced that even camping equipment that could be used for military purposes had been banned.
Two years ago, at a meeting between B’nai Brith Canada leaders and Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Frank Dimant, executive vice-president of the organization, had asked why Canadian troops weren’t being supplied with the absolute best military equipment available. The prime minister indicated he would look into the matter.
As a result of the new policy coming into effect after considerable debate among Canadian parliamentarians, the French Sperwer that’s currently in use will be replaced by the Israeli Heron and Skylark drones, which are designed to better withstand Middle Eastern weather and environmental conditions, in particular the heat, wind and sandy dust, known as hamsin.
According to analysts, it also has a quieter engine, flies higher, carries more weight and can operate for a longer period. Some MPs have questioned the decision after more than $250 million had been spent on the French product.
“As Canadians, we are now relieved knowing that our frontline soldiers will have the best equipment, and we’re pleased that a biased policy has been removed from the government,” Dimant said.
Canada’s decision came at the end of a year of negotiations with Israel Aircraft Industries (AIF), and the deal could total $125 million over six years.
The 998-kilogram Herons – Israel’s first long-rage UAV with an estimated range of up to 3,300 kilometres – will be delivered to the Canadian air force, while the Skylark mini-UAVs – launched by hand and used for close-range surveillance and renonnaissance – will be used by ground troops.
– Atara Beck, with files from Arutz-7
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