PHL Air Force will soon Receive First Elbit Systems Hermes 450 UAV

23 Agustus 2018

Hermes 450 UAV (photo : Airforce Technology)

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is expected to have its first Elbit Systems Hermes 450 medium altitude long endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (MALE UAV) in four months time as part of Unmanned Aerial Systems Level 3 acquisition project for PAF under the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Project Horizon 2, MaxDefense Philippines said.

“While the specific quantity was requested by sources to be made confidential, what we can say for now is that the project involves at least 1 whole system of Hermes 450 UAS (Unmanned Aerial System), with several Hermes 450 UAVs in it,” MaxDefense said.

The system will be operated by PAF’s 300th Air Intelligence and Security Wing (300thAISW), MaxDefense added. The same unit that is operating US provided intelligence gathering air assets.

“Once delivered, the Hermes 450 will be the most capable drone in the AFP’s inventory for at least the very near future,” MaxDefense said.

“The Hermes 450 is just one part of the PAF’s UAS acquisition. More assets are expected to arrive very soon under this project including several Elbit Systems’ Hermes 900 UAS, while the PAF is still looking at further UAS acquisitions in the Horizon 3 phase of the Revised AFP Modernization Program,” MaxDefense said.

(Mintfo)