Sperwers Depart Denmark, Come to Canada (updated)

Sperwer launch
(click to view full)

In DID’s Dec 19, 2005 article “Canada Crafting High-End UAV Requirements,” we noted that Denmark was moving to cancel their Sperwer/Kestrel program and dispose of the UAVs. That has now taken place – and the UAVs have been sold to Canada, which also flies them while it considers what comes next.

Agence France Presse reports that Denmark ordered 10 of SAGEM’s Sperwer drones in 2002 at a cost of DKr 425 million (about $73 million) but are selling them on for just DKr 40 million (USD $6.9 million/ CDN $7.6 million) after a string of problems hit the UAVs and cut deeply into their flying time. The Canadians will reportedly use the UAVs for training purposes, and will be collecting and shipping them shortly.

UPDATE: UAV manufacturer SAGEM will upgrade/modify the Danish UAVs to match the Canadian configuration. DID would add that while Sperwers have indeed been used by Canadian Forces in Afghanistan, this does not mean the Danish Sperwers will be used that way. Indeed, SAGEM’s release carefully avoids making that claim, while implying front-line usage to a casual reader.