Peres (R) with Lula da Silva
Photo: Amnon Meranda
Israel to supply Brazil with drones as part of $350M deal
Member of President Peres' delegation says official visit 'gave last push' to deal in which IAI's Heron unmanned planes will be supplied to Brazilian police for internal security purposes
BRASILIA – Members of President Shimon Peres' delegation announced on Wednesday the signing of a deal according to which Israel will supply Brazil with 14 unmanned planes for an estimated $350 million.
The drones, manufactured by the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), will be used by Brazil for internal security purposes and the war on crime.
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He said IAI will supply Brazil with three Heron 1 drones as part of the deal's first phase, adding that the planes "will also be used during the Olympics."
In late October IAI said it would supply unmanned spy planes to Germany that will see action in Afghanistan early next year.
The Heron drones will be deployed by the German air force in northern Afghanistan in early 2010 for reconnaissance missions, the company said in a statement.
It would not reveal how many drones were sold or for how much but said it was a multimillion dollar deal.
Germany's Federal Office of Defense Technology and Procurement confirmed it had signed an agreement to purchase the aircraft.
AP contributed to the report
