Spain has approved the $660 million purchase of 27 SIRTAP reconnaissance-attack drones to replace Israel's IAI Searcher drone fleet

The Spanish government has approved the purchase of nine SIRTAP unmanned aerial systems. The drones will be transferred to the Air Force and the Army.

Here's What We Know

The Spanish Army will be able to decommission old Israeli IAI Searcher drones thanks to SIRTAP. The US Air Force will use SIRTAP alongside the US Predator multi-role drone, received in 2020.

In April, it was reported that Spain would invest €500m ($555m) to develop the new drone. It has now been revealed that approximately €595m ($660m) will be spent on the purchase of nine complexes.

Each unmanned aircraft system consists of three drones and one control station. Spain will thus receive 27 drones. The contract will also include two simulators, training and logistical support.

SIRTAP is an Airbus drone. The first version of the drone will be reconnaissance, and then the manufacturer will work on weapons integration. The UAV will be able to fly for more than 20 hours, carry up to 150kg of payload, climb to an altitude of up to 6km and operate at temperatures from -40 to +50 degrees Celsius. It will have a range of 250 kilometres.

Source: Infodefensa