ROME – India has been granted observer status in the four-nation Eurodrone programme, which is nearing completion.
India joins Japan as observers in the project launched by Italy, France, Germany and Spain and run by Europe-based contracting agency OCCAR to build a MALE drone that will give Europe more autonomy in the drone -sector.
Developed by Airbus, France’s Dassault Aviation and Italy’s Leonardo, the Eurodrone, with a wingspan of 26 meters, will specialize in long-duration Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions.
During an October visit to the Leonardo facilities in Italy, Eurodrone program officials inspected the mission computer and Gabbiano scanned the electronically scanned radar that would be installed on the platform.
Prime contractor Airbus has stated that the Eurodrone can fly in non-segregated airspace, carry weapons, provide naval anti-submarine warfare and electronic warfare, with a payload of 2.3 tons, 40 hours of autonomy and a maximum altitude of 45,000 feet. .
Twin turboprops are positioned behind the wing in a pusher configuration.
The development follows years in which EU countries refrained from joint drone development. Launched in 2015, the Eurodrone program was originally targeted for a first delivery in 2025, although entry into service is now scheduled for 2029.
