Australia to operate Israeli-made drones in skies over south Iraq

The Australian armed forces will soon be putting Israeli-made unmanned aircraft into operation in the skies over Iraq, according to Australian Defense Minister Robert Hill.

The "Skylark" drones, manufactured by Elbit, are equipped with communications systems and miniature video cameras that have a several-kilometer range.

The decision to make use of the Israeli-made drones was made, according to Hill, "to provide better defense for our soldiers."

The aircraft will be used by a unit of Australian troops deployed in southern Iraq that has already suffered a number of casualties.

Hill said that, in the future, the Israeli drones used by Australia's military will be armed to use in offensive aerial mission.

He said that Australia is investing more and more in the development of its own drones.

Though Hill did not provide details, Australia is apparently seeking to manufacture the drones itself under license from their Israeli developer.

Four Israeli drones were recently sold to Australia for $3 million and they have since been in the service of that country's military.

The Skylark prototype underwent a series of tests and trial flights and was even put into experimental operation with the Australian military.

The drones are primary used for surveillance and patrol missions.

Four Israeli-made "Hunter" drones are already being used by the American military in Iraq.

According to foreign reports, the Hunter drones have already logged some 3,000 flight hours. They are used for intelligence-gathering missions and are also armed and used for offensive missions.

The Pentagon recently announced it was budgeting another $33 million to the Hunter's American contractor, Northrop Grumman, in order to develop additional unmanned aircraft.

Israel Aviation Industries has sold seven Hunter drone systems to the United States, three to Belgium and one to France.

	Elbit's Skylark drone (Archive)