LONDON — Brazil is considering the purchase of new
unmanned aerial vehicle.
Industry sources said the Brazilian police have been briefed on the
Skylark-1 UAV, developed by Elbit Systems of Israel. They said Rio police have been
discussing the procurement of six Skylark-1 UAV systems for law enforcement
missions.
Heron has been used in anti-drug operations in the jungles of the South
American country, Middle East Newsline reported. The $350 million contract called for the supply of 14
Heron systems to Brazilian law enforcement agencies.
"The Brazilian security forces have become very interested in UAV and
already have experience in Israeli systems," an industry source said.
The sources said Elbit plans to conduct trials of Skylark, deemed a
miniature tactical UAV deployed by the Israel Army. They said Brazilian
police could reach a decision on the Israeli UAV in 2010.
The Skylark could mark the second Israeli UAV procured by Brazil in as
many years. In 2009, Brazil ordered the Heron medium-altitude,
long-endurance UAV from the state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries.