Israel's Elbit Systems was awarded a contract by the Brazilian Air Force to supply it with a 900 Hermes unmanned aircraft system for defense and security, the Israeli defense electronics company said in a press release on Wednesday.

The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) already operates smaller Hermes 450s, which like the new purchase will be deployed in security and defense missions during the upcoming FIFA World Cup.

"We are very proud to supply our Hermes 900 to FAB, which is the eighth customer to be equipped with this leading platform," said Elad Aharonson, General Manager of Elbit Systems UAS Divisions. "We are honored to enable FAB to benefit from the advantages of joint flight operations, using both the Hermes 450 and the Hermes 900, a unique solution for intelligence missions, border protection, perimeter control of infrastructure and critical sites, as well as Safe City programs and large scale events."

The Brazilian federal government, which is worried about threats of terrorism and street protests, says it is spending a total of $1 billion on security measures for the June event.