An Israeli made unmanned aerial vehicle, the Heron TP, flies during it's induction ceremony into the Israeli Air Force at the Tel Nof Air Force Base, February 21, 2010. [Photo: CFP]

A new generation of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was put into use by Israel Air Force (IAF) on Sunday.

"The launching of this air plane is another substantial landmark in the development of unmanned aerial vehicles," said IAF Commander Ido Nehoshtan in a speech at the delivering ceremony held on Sunday in Tel-Nof Airforce Base, south of Tel Aviv.

The newly introduced unmanned aircraft, with the name of Eitan, is among the most advanced UAV of its kind in the world, said Eyal, an IAF lieutenant colonel in charge of its development.

"Above and beyond," just as the plane's slogan says, Eitan flies higher and faster than any other UAV owned by IAF currently. The aircraft, which has a length of 13 meters and a wingspan of 26 meters, is capable of flying above the altitude of 12,000 meters and at a maximum speed of 240 km per hour.

The new unmanned plane is specially designed for IAF to perform versatile operations, said Captain Omer, deputy commander of a newly established squadron to operate the new drone.

Equipped with a turbo jet engine, Eitan is able to carry various payloads weighing up to hundreds of kilograms, Omer told Xinhua. With different equipment or weapons attached, it is able to carry out a variety of missions, including surveillance, reconnaissance and assault. The major mission for the aircraft will be intelligence related, the captain added.

Eitan, whose development took about 10 years, is designed and produced by Israel Aerospace Industries, Israel's leading aerospace and aviation manufacturer, under the guidance of IAF.

Israel is among the countries which possess the most advanced technology in designing and building UAV.

The introduction of Eitan took place at a sensitive moment when tensions rise between Israel and Iran over the latter's controversial nuclear program.

For years, Israel and some Western countries have been accusing Iran of enriching uranium to make a nuclear bomb, while Tehran denied the accusation, asserting that it has the right to pursue its nuclear program for peaceful use.

Iran has recently announced its progress in producing stealth aircraft and drones. Earlier February, Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi inaugurated two production lines for the manufacture of new UAV.