IAI Heron 1 Drone. Photo: wiki commons.

The Singapore Air Force has officially announced its receipt and deployment of the Heron-1 unmanned aerial vehicle, which is manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries, the Straits Times daily newspaper reported in Singapore on Thursday. The announcement boosts Israel’s already strong international standing as a top-grade UAV manufacturer.

The Straits Times called the drone “Singapore’s new eye in the sky,” and said, “Heron-1 not only makes it easier for soldiers to conduct reconnaissance missions but is also safer for them to spot the enemy.”

The drones will replace others used by the Singapore Air Force since 1994. The previous drones, known as “Searchers,” were also manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries, but required teams of pilots to launch them and land them.