IAI has been deemed the leading UAV supplier to Israel. In 1981, the state-owned company supplied the Scout tactical UAV for reconnaissance missions over Lebanon.

Since then, the air force has been supplied by other Israeli companies, including Elbit Systems and Aeronautics Defense Systems. UAVs by both firms have been used in counter-insurgency operations in the Gaza Strip.

Israel has also been developing combat UAV platforms. Industry sources said many of Israel's new platforms were capable of firing light air-to-ground rockets.

For its part, IAI has developed strategic UAV platforms, particularly Eitan, with a wingspan of 26 meters, or that of a Boeing 737 aircraft. Eitan, which can reach an altitude of 41,000 feet, was said to be based on the Heron turboprop platform.

IAI has focused in marketing its Heron medium-altitude, long-endurance UAV. So far, Heron, with an endurance of more than 24 hours, was said to have been operated by 15 militaries, including at least four NATO armies in Afghanistan.

"The Heron UAV can carry multiple payloads and operate them simultaneously when needed: electro-optical payloads, maritime patrol radar, synthetic aperture radar, relay equipment, various communication systems and more, according to customer needs," IAI said.

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