Watchkeeper to France?

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Is the Watchkeeper unmanned air system (UAS) on its way to France? This system is based on the Hermes-450 made by Elbit Systems.

Sources at the Paris air show said that Thales will offer the system to the French army. The company displays a model of the UAS with markings of the French army.

The Watchkeeper UAV provides the UK armed forces with intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) capability. In July 2004, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced that Thales UK had been selected as the preferred bidder for the Watchkeeper tactical unmanned air vehicle (TUAV) system.

In August 2005, Thales UK was awarded the contract for the development, manufacture and initial support (DMIS) phases of the Watchkeeper programme. 54 Watchkeeper UAV systems were ordered for delivery to the British Army. Watchkeeper is a tactical system that will be operated in theatre by the British Army Royal Artillery.

The Watchkeeper is based on the Elbit Systems Hermes-450 UAS.

i-HLS Israel Homeland Security

As an urgent operational requirement to provide intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) until Watchkeeper entered service, the British Army ordered a Hermes 450 UAS (on which the Watchkeeper is based) unit from Thales UK / Elbit.