Elbit Systems has announced a $120 million contract to supply its Hermes 900 Maritime Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) to an undisclosed Asia-Pacific nation. The deal underscores growing demand for persistent maritime surveillance platforms amid rising geopolitical tensions and increased naval activity in the Indo-Pacific region.
Contract Overview and Strategic Context
On June 3, 2024, Israeli defense firm Elbit Systems confirmed it had secured a three-year contract valued at approximately $120 million to deliver its Hermes 900 Maritime variant UAS. Although the customer remains unnamed due to security and diplomatic sensitivities, multiple defense analysts suggest it is likely a Southeast Asian nation with an expanding maritime domain awareness (MDA) requirement—potentially the Philippines or Thailand.
The deal includes not only the unmanned aircraft but also ground control stations (GCS), onboard mission systems including advanced electro-optical payloads and maritime radar, as well as training and support services. This integrated package reflects a broader trend in turnkey UAS procurements that prioritize full-spectrum ISR capabilities over platform-only sales.
Hermes 900 Maritime Variant Capabilities
The Hermes 900 is a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAS designed for multi-role ISR missions. The maritime variant incorporates several enhancements tailored for naval operations:
- Endurance: Over 30 hours of continuous flight time at altitudes up to 9,100 meters (30,000 feet).
- Payload Capacity: Up to 350 kg with modular bays supporting EO/IR sensors, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), Electronic Support Measures (ESM), and Automatic Identification System (AIS) receivers.
- Maritime Radar: Typically equipped with Elta EL/M-2022 or similar X-band AESA radar optimized for sea-surface target detection and tracking.
- C4ISR Integration: Real-time data transmission via SATCOM links enables integration into national C2 networks or coalition ISR frameworks.
The platform’s ability to detect small vessels such as fast attack craft or illegal fishing boats in high sea states makes it particularly valuable for Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) enforcement and anti-piracy operations. It can also support Search and Rescue (SAR) missions by relaying live imagery over vast oceanic areas.
Growing Demand in Asia-Pacific for Maritime Drones
The Indo-Pacific region has seen a surge in demand for maritime surveillance drones due to overlapping territorial claims in the South China Sea and increased grey-zone activities by state-sponsored actors. Nations with limited manned patrol aircraft fleets are turning to MALE-class UAVs like the Hermes 900 as cost-effective force multipliers.
This latest deal follows similar procurements of the Hermes family by countries including:
- Philippines: Acquired Hermes 450 and Hermes 900 systems under Horizon II modernization program starting in late-2018; used extensively against insurgents in Mindanao and for coastal surveillance.
- Brazil: Operates Hermes 900 under FAB designation RQ-900A; deployed during major events like Rio Olympics for border security.
- Switzerland: Selected the Hermes 900 StarLiner variant with civil aviation compliance features; deliveries began in late-2023 after delays related to airspace integration testing.
The expanding user base demonstrates confidence in the platform’s reliability and mission flexibility across diverse operational environments—from jungle terrain to open oceans.
Civil-Military Applications and Export Compliance
The dual-use nature of platforms like the Hermes 900 raises both opportunity and scrutiny. While primarily marketed as a military asset, its SAR capabilities have made it attractive for disaster response agencies. In Israel itself, modified variants have supported wildfire monitoring and border patrol missions under civilian authorities.
This versatility enables Elbit to navigate export regulations more flexibly than armed UAVs restricted under Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) guidelines. The unarmed nature of this sale likely facilitated smoother licensing through Israel’s Defense Export Controls Agency (DECA), especially given sensitive regional dynamics involving China’s drone exports across Asia-Pacific markets.
Elbit’s Position in Global UAV Market
This contract reinforces Elbit Systems’ position as one of the world’s leading suppliers of tactical-to-strategic class unmanned systems. Alongside competitors like General Atomics (MQ-9 Reaper), Leonardo-Finmeccanica (Falco EVO), Baykar Makina (Bayraktar TB2), and IAI (Heron TP), Elbit continues expanding its market share through modularity-centric design philosophy and aggressive international marketing strategies.
The company’s ability to offer interoperable solutions across land-sea-air domains—often bundled with C4I software suites such as TORCH-X—gives it an edge when pitching integrated packages rather than standalone drones. This aligns with emerging procurement preferences among mid-tier militaries seeking holistic ISR ecosystems rather than piecemeal acquisitions.
Ahead: Integration Challenges & Regional Impact
The receiving country will face several challenges during integration:
- Crew Training: Transitioning crews from manned platforms or short-range tactical drones requires significant investment in GCS operation skills and maintenance logistics chains.
- Spectrum Management: Ensuring secure SATCOM bandwidth without interfering with civilian aviation or telecom infrastructure remains critical—especially if operating near congested air corridors or disputed waters.
- Civil-Military Coordination: Effective use of real-time data from these platforms demands streamlined coordination between navy/coast guard units and national intelligence fusion centers—a non-trivial organizational hurdle in some ASEAN states.
If successfully fielded within two years—as projected—the new fleet could substantially enhance regional MDA posture while signaling strategic alignment with Western-aligned defense tech providers amid growing Chinese drone proliferation across Southeast Asia.
