In a decision that caused consternation among Canadian parliamentarians, the Canadian government decided to supply its troops in Afghanistan with two Israeli models of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The Heron and 
Canadian MPs have questioned the deal after the state spent more $250 million on the French UAVs.
Skylark drones will be replacing the French Sperwer, currently deployed with Canadian forces in Kandahar.
The Canadian government's decision to go with the Israeli UAVs came at the end of a year of negotiations with Israel Aircraft Industries. The IAI deal will potentially total $125 million over six years. Canadian MPs have questioned the deal after the state spent more $250 million on the French UAVs.
Starting in February, the larger Heron UAV (known in Israel as Machatz-1), in its latest versions Heron-2 and Heron TP, will take over from the Sperwer. The 350-kilogram (772 lb.) Sperwer served its purpose in other theaters, but has proven to be too sensitive to the Afghani heat, dust and wind; whereas, the Israeli UAVs are designed to operate under such conditions, which are prevalent in the Middle East.
Unveiled in March 2007, the Heron was Israel's first long-range UAV, with a range estimated by foreign analysts to be up to 3,300 kilometers (2,000 miles). The Heron was called "a major leap forward for the IDF" by Air Force Major-General Eliezer Shkedi. It also has a quieter engine, flies higher, carries more weight and can operate for longer than the UAVs currently in use by Canadian troops in Afghanistan.
The 998-kilogram (1.1 tons) Herons are slated to be delivered to the Canadian Air Force. The smaller Skylark mini-UAVs will be used by Canadian ground troops. Compact and portable, these drones are launched by hand and used for close-range surveillance and reconnaissance.