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Israel has kamikaze drones that have been proven in various wars and are in demand by many countries. Photo/Elbeit System
TEL AVIV – The Netherlands purchased Israeli-made SkyStriker kamikaze drones to strengthen their air defense.
Israel-based international defense company Elbit Systems, which produces the SkyStriker, signed a contract worth USD95 million (Rp. 1.4 trillion) with the Netherlands.
“Elbit Systems announced that it was awarded a $95 million contract to supply SkyStriker loitering munitions (LM) to European countries… As part of the contract, Elbit Systems will provide several hundred SkyStriker units. The contract will be implemented over two years,” the statement said. Elbit Systems, reported by Sputnik.
SkyStriker is a fully autonomous drone capable of finding, acquiring and engaging operator-designated targets with a warhead up to 10 kilograms. The drone has high precision performance.
SkyStriker launches can be carried out from a variety of ground and air platforms as well as from Elbit Systems’ dedicated launch system. The company says that SkyStriker enables “covert operations for up to 2 hours and with a range of 100 km.”
Elbit Systems also provides logistics, training and support services. In addition, the Netherlands will also install an anti-drone system at the country’s air base and the Den Helder naval port will provide protection against drones weighing up to 20 kilograms.
“The counter-drone system helps protect armed forces units and main weapons systems from enemy action, and can also be used to protect critical non-military infrastructure and processes in the Netherlands,” said a statement from the Dutch Ministry of Defense, reported by Middle East Monitor.
Oren Sabag, General Manager of Elbit Systems ISTAR & EW, said the increasing threat of drones is creating increased demand for counter-drone solutions.
“We have leveraged advanced radar, signals intelligence, electro-optics and electronic warfare technologies to develop advanced, open and future-ready solutions for our customers’ increasing needs,” said Sabag.
Apart from that, according to the Times of Israel, there have been previous sales of Israeli weapons and defense equipment to the Netherlands, but these sales were considered private agreements by various companies and not intergovernmental contracts.
Elbit produces 85% of Israel’s military drone fleet, not only arming the Israeli military. In addition, they also operate these drones alongside military personnel, which directly assists them in attacks on Palestinians.
(ahm)
