Indian Heron TP bid gains momentum

摘要

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has received defence ministry approval for the proposed Indian production and assembly of its Heron TP unmanned air vehicle. The company - which earlier this year exhibited its export-standard Heron TP-XP at the Aero India show in Bengaluru - is involved in a competition with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems' MQ-9 Reaper to equip the nation's military. The US state department recently approved a potential Reaper sale to New Delhi. In early July, Indian prime minister Narendra Modi visited Israel, where military officials received additional briefings on the Heron TP and Tel Aviv's willingness to transfer technical know-how and production work to the country if it is selected.