Russia seeks to triple Israeli-made drone fleet
Israeli defense sources say Moscow negotiating second purchase of spy unmanned aircraft roughly twice the size of initial $50 million sale announced in Aprill
Russia is negotiating a second purchase of Israeli-made spy drones roughly twice the size of an initial $50 million sale announced in April, Israeli defense sources said on Monday.
They said the new deal with state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) would be worth about $100 million and would feature improved surveillance equipment on the pilotless planes.
"The Russians are going for a triple upgrade of their fleet and its capabilities," a defense source said.
IAI declined to comment.
Russia's war with neighboring Georgia in 2008 exposed an army with largely obsolete equipment and a lack of modern spy drones, defense analysts said.
While Georgia used Israeli drones during the five days of fighting, Russia had to rely mainly on its Tu-22 strategic bombers for battlefield intelligence.
The drone deals help improve Israeli ties with Russia, an important country in international efforts to contain Iran's nuclear program.
Russia has held up a planned sale of the S-300 air defense system to Iran. Analysts have said the S-300 could help the Iranians defend their atomic sites against possible military strikes by Israel or the United States.
