Israel Trains German Pilots to Fly Drones in Afghanistan

27 July 2010

An Israeli Air Force unmanned plane flies over central Israel (file photo)

Some German pilots that are part of NATO operations in Afghanistan are in Israel for training on special reconnaissance drones. The Jewish state's expertise is helping to train the Germans to protect ground troops and convoys in Afghanistan.

At Israel's Ein Shemer air base, a Heron drone takes off for a training mission. But this propeller-driven aircraft is bright white with a black iron cross and the red, yellow, and black flag of the German Luftwaffe on its side. Inside a non-descript metal building, a German pilot controls the craft, which carries high-resolution cameras and other equipment.

Germany has the third-largest NATO contingent in Afghanistan - 4,300 personnel. The Germans ordered a small fleet of the Heron drones from Israel Aerospace Industries to help prevent civilian casualties and friendly-fire incidents in the rugged Afghan terrain.

One of the pilots in training - identified as Major C to preserve military secrecy - says having the drones in Afghanistan will be invaluable.

"It's a huge support because then we can finally do intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance right over the battlefields in real life, so we support the troops and we can support convoys driving around in real time," said Major C.