Report: Israeli-made Hermes drone shot down over Baghdad
For the third time in a week, there is a report that an Israeli-made drone has been shot down. This time, the report comes out of Lebanon, the drone is a Hermes and the claim is that it was shot down over Baghdad.
According to a report on the Lebanese Al Mayadeen TV channel, considered a mouthpiece for the Hezbollah terror group, an Israeli drone exploded in mid-air
over Baghdad. The report claims that the drone was another Hermes-class
craft, the same type of drone that Iran claims fell over its airspace
earlier this week.
The report said that Iraqi army officials had gathered up what was
left of the drone, but were not commenting on the incident at this time.
A reporter on the ground in Baghdad said that staff from the US Embassy in Baghdad rushed to the scene of the crash in order to assess the situation.
On Monday, Iran claimed to have downed an Israeli drone as well. “A
spy drone of the Zionist regime (Israel) was brought down by a
missile... This stealth drone was trying to approach the Natanz nuclear
zone," the corps said in a statement on its official website
sepahnews.com. “This act demonstrates a new adventurism by
the Zionist regime... The Revolutionary Guard and the other armed forces
reserve the right to respond to this act," the statement added.
Iranian officials said that the drone was an Israeli-made "Hermes"
drone with a maximum flight range of 1,600 km (994 miles) and a 800-km
(500 mile) combat radius. The UAV's wings have a 5.5 meter (about 18
feet) wingspan, he added, and two high-quality cameras were mounted on
each end to capture precise images. The Al Mayadeen report said that the drone that fell over Baghdad was of the same type.
The drone that was shot down over Natanz is widely believed to belong to Azerbaijan. Hamas also claimed to have shot down an Israeli drone last week, but has yet to provide any evidence. The government and the IDF have had no comment about any of the drones supposedly shot down.
Iranian television shows video of alleged Israeli spy drone
You will recall that on Sunday, Iran claimed to have downed an Israeli spy drone - apparently a Hermes - near its Natanz nuclear facility. Israel has declined to comment on the story.
But Iran put the alleged drone on television on Monday morning.
Let's go to the videotape.
Notice - no markings. Nothing that might identify it as an Israeli drone. Let's just say I doubt this story.
And even if they did down it, so what? Does anyone doubt that Israel is spying on Iran?
It's been a little over a month since Brazil recognized the non-existent state of 'Palestine.' Now, Brazil is to be rewarded by being allowed to purchase top of the line Hermes 450 unmanned aerial vehicles.
Elbit Systems’ Brazilian subsidiary Aeroeletrônica Ltda. (AEL) has won a contract to supply additional Hermes 450 unmanned aerial systems to the Brazilian Air Force (FAB). The contract follows one year Brazilian operation of two Hermes 450 unmanned aircraft and one ground station under lease for one year.
Through this evaluation phase the Brazilian Air Force and Navy were defining their operational requirements for unmanned vehicles. It is assumed that the current order will comprise two additional systems fielding operational capabilities with the Air Force, bringing the total systems operated by the Brazilian forces to three. Further units are expected to be added in the future, as the FAB expands the services provided by unmanned systems. According to Elbit Systems, the project is a part of the Brazilian Air Forces’ objective to establish independent UAS capabilities, allowing for self-reliant operation and development of UAS in Brazil.
Are we that desperate for money that we have to prostitute ourselves in front of third-rate powers to provide them with top of the line military equipment? If these were software to operate restaurant payments systems or local telephone operations, I could understand. But why are we selling our best military equipment to countries that are at best indifferent to our continued existence? How long will it take until someone turns this equipment against us?
Remember when the US wouldn't allow us to sell military equipment to China? Why do we continue to sell to all comers?
I am an Orthodox Jew - some would even call me 'ultra-Orthodox.' Born in Boston, I was a corporate and securities attorney in New York City for seven years before making aliya to Israel in 1991 (I don't look it but I really am that old :-). I have been happily married to the same woman for thirty-five years, and we have eight children (bli ayin hara) ranging in age from 13 to 33 years and nine grandchildren. Four of our children are married! Before I started blogging I was a heavy contributor on a number of email lists and ran an email list called the Matzav from 2000-2004. You can contact me at: IsraelMatzav at gmail dot com
