A Watchkeeper aircraft published by the British website ukdefencejournal.
Khabarni – Israeli media announced their dissatisfaction with Britain’s announcement to dispense with Israeli-made Watchkeeper drones by March 2025, as part of a broader effort to modernize its system and adapt to evolving threats.
The British announcement raised fears of Israeli defense industry companies about harming their image and thus preparing for an economic loss.
British Defense Secretary John Halley said about the Watchkeeper system’s retirement: “The modern army must clearly have modern capabilities capable of operating in the most challenging environments. After the Watchkeeper Mk 1 is retired, the army will quickly transition to a new advanced capability, drawing on the latest operational lessons.” and technological developments,” according to the UKDefenceJournal website.
“These decisions provide better value for money and ensure we are better placed to modernize and strengthen the UK’s defence,” Haley added.
The decision, revealed by the British Defense Secretary, reflects the rapid pace of technological progress in unmanned aerial systems and the lessons learned from the war in Ukraine.
The Watchkeeper program, which was introduced in 2010, has faced significant delays and cost overruns, becoming a symbol of the challenges in deploying new technology. Despite the intelligence and reconnaissance capabilities the program provides, the system often struggles to meet operational requirements.
Stopping the use of Watchkeeper is part of a wider initiative to stop the British Armed Forces from using outdated military equipment, a move that would save up to £500 million over 5 years.
The British Army is expected to replace Watchkeeper with a more advanced drone system, which can operate effectively in contested environments.
While Watchkeeper’s retirement signals the end of a turbulent chapter in London’s defense procurement, it opens the door to next-generation technologies to enhance the British Army’s operational effectiveness.
What is Watchkeeper? The Israeli defense company Elbit Systems produces the Watchkeeper drones, which are based on the Elbit Hermes 450 drones, known as Zik.
The company and its partner, Thales, won the American Northrop tender 20 years ago, where they supplied the British army with about 45 marches manufactured in Britain, but with an Israeli design.
The Israeli Air Force widely uses its Zik drones in Gaza and Lebanon, some of which have been shot down by Hezbollah since the start of the war, where they are used for intelligence gathering and attacks.
According to the Israeli Walla website, the project was behind schedule, and the planes did not enter service until 2014, and were able to participate in the war in Afghanistan.
The project not only exceeded schedule, but also exceeded costs, reaching £1.3 billion, instead of £800 million.
The two Israeli companies received a request worth $180 million from Romania last year, to purchase a number of Watchkeeper systems, in a deal that is expected to grow to $410 million, but it is unclear whether Britain’s decision will affect the deal.
The economic damage to Elbit is small, because income from the project is now limited to tens of millions of dollars annually, but this is a blow to the image of the company and the Israeli defense industry at a sensitive time.
Britain was one of the first countries to announce a partial ban on arms exports to Israel following the war on Gaza, but in practice it limited exports to a small number of components.
According to Walla, only 11 drones are in operational service, while the rest are used for training or storage in Britain, while 7 drones were involved in crashes.
**With the increasing use of AI and autonomous technologies in UAVs, what regulatory frameworks and international agreements are needed to address ethical concerns and potential risks associated with their deployment?**
## World Today News Interview: The Retirement of Britain’s Watchkeeper Drones
**Guests:**
* **Dr. Sarah Jones:** Senior Research Fellow specializing in defense procurement and international arms trade.
* **Mr. David Cohen:** Defense Industry Analyst with expertise in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and Israeli defense technologies.
**Introduction:**
Welcome to World Today News. We’re here today to discuss the recent announcement by the British Ministry of Defence to retire its fleet of Watchkeeper drones by 2025. We have two distinguished guests joining us to explore the implications of this decision, both for the British military and the Israeli defense industry.
**Section 1: The Watchkeeper Program: Success or Failure?**
* **Moderator:** Dr. Jones, the Watchkeeper programme has faced significant criticism for cost overruns and delays. Could you elaborate on the challenges that plagued this project and ultimately led to its retirement?
* **Dr. Jones:**
* **Moderator:** Mr. Cohen, from an Israeli perspective, what were the perceived successes of the Watchkeeper programme, and how did it contribute to the development of Israeli UAV technology?
* **Mr. Cohen:**
**Section 2: Modernizing the British Military**
* **Moderator:** Mr. Cohen, the British Defence Secretary cited the need for “modern capabilities” as a driving force behind the Watchkeeper retirement. What specific technological advancements might be driving this shift in military strategy?
* **Mr. Cohen:**
* **Moderator:** Dr. Jones, what are the potential implications for the British Army’s operational effectiveness in the wake of this decision? How will they bridge the gap left by the Watchkeeper’s retirement?
* **Dr. Jones:**
**Section 3: The Impact on the Israeli Defense Industry**
* **Moderator:** Mr. Cohen, the Watchkeeper programme was a significant contract for Israeli defense companies like Elbit Systems. How will this decision affect their reputation and future prospects in the international arms market?
* **Mr. Cohen:**
* **Moderator:** Dr. Jones, could this decision spark broader discussions within NATO about reliance on Israeli defense technologies? Is there a potential for shifting alliances and partnerships in the global arms industry?
* **Dr. Jones:**
**Section 4: Looking Ahead: The Future of UAVs**
* **Moderator:** Mr. Cohen, what are the key trends shaping the future of unmanned aerial vehicles? How will advancements in artificial intelligence and autonomous flight impact military strategy?
* **Mr. Cohen:**
* **Moderator:** Dr. Jones, considering the lessons learned from the Watchkeeper programme, what advice would you offer to governments around the world when procuring new defense technologies?
* **Dr. Jones:**
**Conclusion:**
Thank you to Dr. Jones and Mr. Cohen for sharing their expert insights. The retirement of the Watchkeeper drones marks a significant moment in the evolution of military technology. As nations grapple with evolving threats and budgetary constraints, the discussion around the development, deployment, and ethical considerations of UAVs will undoubtedly continue. Thank you for joining us on World Today News.
