Israel's Elbit Systems has won a contract for the sale of a tactical UAV
for Mexico's security forces, Middle East Newsline reported. The Mexican Defense Ministry identified the
Israeli UAV as the Hermes-450, regarded as a leading platform in several
militaries.
The Defense Ministry said it procured an unspecified number of Hermes in
2009. The ministry reported that the UAV deal amounted to $23.25 million.
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The ministry disclosed the UAV deal after a Freedom of Information
request by the Mexican newspaper La Jornada. The Mexican military was said
to have begun using the Hermes in early 2010 for a range of missions,
including the surveillance of suspected drug traffickers.
Hermes was reported to have an endurance of more than 20 hours. The UAV
was said to contain an optical payload that could identify illegal drug
plantations in northwestern Mexico.
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