He Government authorized by council of ministers concluding a contract for the acquisition and integration of an air-to-ground missile hell fire and its associated team at RPAS Predator Bin service in Air and Space Army.
Acquisition and integration of these air-to-ground missiles on drones predatorat an estimated value of 13,395,015 euros, will enable the updating and improvement of the capabilities of this weapon system, explains the subsequent reference to the Council of Ministers.
This new capability, he adds, will improve “the capabilities of the Air and Space Army to carry out the tasks entrusted to it, especially in relation to the support and protection of the various units of the armed forces and their personnel.” during operations.”
At the beginning of 2023, the Air and Space Army officially confirmed the intention to arm four drones Predator B in service in 233 Squadron from the air base Talavera la Real (Badajoz), configured to conduct intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
Since acquiring these drones from the United States General Atomicsmore than eight years ago, the debate about the need to arm predator and providing the armed forces with a drone with offensive capabilities has been repeated.
As published Infodefense.com, These UAS already contain the main equipment necessary to carry and launch missiles and bombs, so the Air Force would only need to update the equipment. software ground control stations and install pylons, bomb racks and specific components of each munition.
He Predator B reached in 2022 the so-called Initial Operational Capability (IOC) after deploying to Lanzarote Airport, its secondary operating base, during an exercise Sirius last October.