Azerbaijan to Buy More Loitering Systems from Israeli Defence Industry

Defense News ,Azerbaijan :- Amid escalating tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Baku is actively engaged in negotiations to acquire additional Israeli-made weapon systems, with a particular focus on advanced loitering systems.

One notable system in consideration is the SpyX, developed by the Israeli company BlueBird in collaboration with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), which recently acquired 50% of BlueBird's shares. Azerbaijan has established itself as a significant customer for Israeli weaponry, fostering special defense relations with Israel.

The recent announcement from Armenia about two soldiers being killed by Azerbaijani fire has intensified the longstanding conflict, marking one of the most serious incidents since negotiations began to resolve over 30 years of intermittent war last year.

The SpyX loitering weapon system has garnered interest in European countries, especially in the context of the war in Ukraine, with Morocco being one of its early adopters. Boasting a 50 km operational range, 1.5 hours mission time, and autonomous electro-optical guided attack capabilities, the SpyX provides optimal effect-on-target and integrates tightly with BlueBird's VTOL ISR UAV family.

BlueBird Aero Systems, the developer of SpyX, positions this technology as a groundbreaking milestone in the evolution of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems, promising a new era of precision and efficiency on the battlefield, all at an exceptionally affordable price point.

SpyX, an expendable electric mini-UAV designed for loitering and strike missions, equips tactical teams to detect, confirm, and engage targets within a 50 km range. Its increased target detection capabilities stem from a revolutionary belly-mounted dual-sensor stabilized payload and advanced video tracker, enabling autonomous and accurate electro-optical guided attacks.

Enhancing its effectiveness, SpyX features a 2.5 kg warhead, allowing for customization with combined anti-personnel, anti-vehicle, or anti-tank warheads, loaded just before launch based on the desired effect-on-target. As tensions persist in the region, Azerbaijan's pursuit of such advanced weaponry signals a strategic shift in its defense capabilities.