The Australian Army has signed a $12.718 million contract with Boeing Australia to supply Boeing-Insitu Scan Eagle unmanned air vehicle services for a six month period.

Newly released Australian government purchasing records show the lease runs until 30 June 2007. The Australian Department of Defence is planning to announce the deal later this month with this expected to detail the number of systems involved and usage plans.

The sole source contract was awarded 8 November by the Australian Defence Materiel Organisations Army Aviation System Programme Office. The deal follows unsolicited proposals to the Australian Army headquarters by Boeing proposing a service lease ahead of the proposed acquisition of Israeli Aircraft Industries I-View 250 tactical UAVs.

Source and more info: flightglobal