The Singapore Air Force has announced its decision to procure Elbit Systems’ Hermes 900 unmanned aerial vehicles, replacing its aging fleet of Hermes 450 drones that have served for two decades.
Selection Process#
According to the Singapore Air Force announcement, the Hermes 900 was chosen following comprehensive evaluations: “Through robust and thorough evaluations, the H900 UAV was assessed to best meet the Singapore Air Force’s operational needs.”
The announcement noted that Singapore joins a growing list of countries operating this advanced system for both military and civilian applications.
Hermes 900 Capabilities#
The Hermes 900 is a medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle with impressive specifications:
- Range: Over 1,000 kilometers
- Mission types: Regional surveillance, continuous intelligence gathering, reconnaissance, target acquisition, and observation
- Operating environments: Both land and maritime arenas
The platform is designed to perform a wide range of missions, making it versatile for Singapore’s defense requirements in the strategically important Southeast Asian region.
20-Year Partnership#
This procurement extends a defense relationship between Singapore and Elbit Systems spanning two decades. The original Hermes 450 fleet has provided reliable service since its acquisition, and the upgrade to the more capable Hermes 900 demonstrates Singapore’s continued confidence in Israeli UAV technology.
Elbit’s Global Position#
Elbit Systems ranks among the world’s leading UAV manufacturers, positioned fifth globally according to Defense Post. Since the Hermes 900’s market introduction in 2011, more than 20 customers worldwide have selected the platform.
This deal follows Elbit’s announcement six weeks earlier of a $120 million contract to supply Hermes 900 systems for maritime patrol missions to another international customer.
Source: Globes
