Canadian Air Force receives first Heron UAV

Where the aircraft was actually delivered is not stated (links added):

Israel Aerospace Industries announces delivery of the 1st Heron UAV to Canada

Oct 15, 2008

The Heron UAV

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) delivered today the first Heron UAV system to the Canadian Air Force.

IAI and MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA) as prime contractor, were recently awarded (August 2008) a contract to deliver IAI’s Heron UAV through MDA to Canadian forces deployed in Afghanistan (NOCTUA project). According to publications the contract is valued at 95 million Canadians Dollars (81 million USD).

The UAV lease for Canada will be completed by the end of 2010, with an option to extend for an additional year.

The platform and equipment are built completely at IAI's facilities in Israel, while management, training, and in-theatre maintenance for the Canadian operators is the responsibility of the Canadian prime contractor MDA...

MDA provides advanced information solutions that are essential for decision making.

MDA is focused on information solutions for market sectors which offer strong repeat business potential, the Financial Services sector and the Surveillance and Intelligence sector. In addition, the Company conducts a broad range of customer funded Advanced Technology development aimed at further extending human capability.

More here and here (via Spotlight on Military News and International Affairs, Oct. 19). And from an earlier post:

...Employees of the British Columbia firm supplying the drones will pilot the aircraft during takeoffs and landings from Kandahar...