Elbit Systems Awarded Drone Contract to Monitor European Coast

The Times of Israel reports a deal executed between Israel defense contractor Elbit Systems Ltd and Portugal’s Centre of Engineering and Product Development CEiiA, to provide maritime unmanned aircraft system (UAS) patrol services to the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), in order to effectively and persistently monitor ocean coasts.

The contract that will be executed in cooperation with CEiiA is for a two-year base period and two single year option periods.  The full value of the contract, including the options, is €59 million (some $68 million).

Under the contract and in cooperation with CEiiA, Elbit will lease and operate its Hermes 900 Maritime Patrol system. Tailored for littoral and blue water operations, the Hermes 900 Maritime Patrol will feature maritime radar, an Electro Optic payload, Satellite Communication and an Automatic Identification System (AIS) receiver. Thus configured, the Hermes 900 Maritime Patrol will enable persistent monitoring of vast swathes of sea and long coastlines and effective identification of suspicious activities and potential hazards, Elbit said in a statement.

Elad Aharonson, General Manager of Elbit Systems ISTAR Division, commented: “Having been selected by the European Union authorities is yet another vote of confidence in the Hermes 900 by following additional contract awards for this UAS in Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Israel. Extensively deployed, the Hermes 900 family of UAS continuously expands its capabilities introducing the capability to operate in civilian airspace and integrating self-protection suites and stronger payloads.”

Elbit is a tech firm that develops a wide range of defense, homeland security and commercial systems that are sold globally. The firm, whose shares are listed in Tel Aviv and on the Nasdaq, operates in the fields of aerospace, land and naval systems, command, control, communications, computers, intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance systems, advanced electro-optics, electro-optic space systems, EW suites, signal intelligence systems, data links and communications systems, radios and cyber-based systems among others.

CEiiA is a Portuguese Centre of Engineering and Product Development which designs, implements and operates innovative products and services for high-tech industries, such as, the aeronautics, unmanned aircraft systems, automotive, smart mobility, oceans and space. CEiiA offers complete solutions, covering all product development phases from concept to the production of small series or prototypes, and operation of intelligent systems and unmanned aircraft systems.