February 2012

Drones Are The Latest ‘Must Have’ Weapon Systems – And there seems to be the start of a “drones gold rush” – whether this will see the Fleet Air Arm equipped with a suitable UAV to replace the lost aircraft carrier, HARRIER, and the NIMROD surveillance aircraft capability is a moot point

                                                                            

The UK and France will jointly develop a new armed unmanned drones and it is important they say, that the UK keeps up with the USA and Israel in this key market.      Early figures from the MoD indicate that the new drone could cost the UK around £2 billion but other estimates are much higher.     In November 2010 the UK and France Defence and Security Cooperation Treaty included a commitment to work together on nuclear issues and armed drones.     The two countries have agreed to build a new armed drone and BAE Systems and Dassault have joined together to offer the proposed TELEMOS drone to fulfill this ‘need’.      All indications are that the new drone will be based on BAe’s MANTIS drone, although Dassault have also been working on a drone called NEURON.     EADS, meanwhile, the other giant of the European military industry is fighting its corner for its own drone, known as TALARION, but early indications are that France is apparently going to choose the BAE Systems/Dassault proposal.