Philippines receives first batch of Hermes 450 UAVs from Israel

An Elbit Systems Hermes 450 UAV, this example with the Brazilian armed forces.

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) was said to have received the first batch of Elbit Systems Hermes 450 medium altitude long endurance unmanned aerial vehicles from Israel.

According to Philippine defense page MaxDefense Philippines, the two (2) Hermes 450 UAVs arrived in late August 2019, and were seen conducting flight tests in an airbase south of Manila in early September 2019. The UAVs will be operated by the PAF’s 300th Air Intelligence and Security Wing.

A total of 4 Hermes 450 UAVs were ordered as part of a larger deal worth Php8.47 billion (US$163 million) that includes the delivery of 9 larger Hermes 900 UAVs under the PAF’s Unmanned Aerial Systems project.

MaxDefense Philippines mentioned that the other 2 Hermes 450 UAVs, as well as an initial batch of Hermes 900 UAVs may arrive either late 2019 or early 2020. 

The Elbit Systems Hermes 450 has a range of 300 kilometres and an endurance of up to 20 hours. It can carry sensor and surveillance payloads of up to 150 kilograms total. It is currently in service or in order by more than a dozen other countries including Israel.

The Hermes 450 is currently the most capable and largest UAV in service with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, which has several small UAVs in service prior to the arrival of the Hermes 450.


[1] MaxDefense Philippines
[2] MaxDefense Philippines
[3] Israel Defense