British Army Watchkeeper tactical unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have deployed to the UK air base in Cyprus for a six-month training mission.
The deployment by 47 Regiment Royal Artillery, the British Army's only unit equipped with the Watchkeeper, is aimed at boosting the pilot competency and currency of crews, according to a senior British Army source.
Exercise 'Athena Rebus' is also testing "the logistical aspects of an overseas deployment" of Watchkeeper units, the source told Jane's on 26 November. "It is expected to run from September 2019 to April 2020."
The WK450 Equipment Standard 2 variant, which received its release to service (RTS) approval in April 2019, is deployed to Cyprus for the exercise.
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While it remains on good terms with Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United States, Kuwait is continuing to update its armed forces to face regional threats. Beth Stevenson reports