Australia begins training on armed U.S. Reaper drones

Reuters 

Feb 23 (Reuters) - Australian air force personnel have begun training on armed drones in the United States, Australian defence officials said on Monday, less than a week after Washington said it would begin exporting the controversial weapons system.

The U.S. State Department last week said it would allow exports of lethal military drones under strict conditions, such as sales through government programs and agreements by recipient nations to provide "end-use assurances."

The details of the policy are classified. It follows a two-year review amid growing demand from U.S. allies for the new category of weapons that have played a key role in U.S. military action in Afghanistan, Iraq and Yemen.

An Australian defence department spokeswoman told Reuters no decision had been taken, but the decision to send personnel to train on General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper drone is likely to be seen as a signal it is considering a purchase.

"Unmanned aerial systems are an advancing technology with a proven record of providing 'eyes in the sky' in the Middle East region," Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence, Darren Chester, said in a statement.

"It would be remiss of Australia not to continue to develop our knowledge of this technology to ensure we are able to gain the greatest benefit from unmanned aerial systems and the best protection for our troops on future operations."

Privately held General Atomics, which also makes the Predator drone, Northrop Grumman Corp, Textron Inc and other arms makers have been urging Washington for years to loosen strict export curbs, which they say have cost them orders to Israel and others in the growing market.

Australia is a close U.S. ally and last year committed to buying the U.S. Navy's MQ-4C Northrop Grumman-made Triton unmanned aircraft, alongside eight of Boeing Co's P-8A Poseidon long-range spy planes.

Britain is the only country now flying armed U.S. drones, but France and Italy fly Reaper surveillance drones.

Buyers of military drones have to agree to strict conditions, such as sticking to international law and not using them for unlawful surveillance or crackdowns on citizens. (Reporting by Matt Siegel; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)

Views: 69

"Destroying the New World Order"

TOP CONTENT THIS WEEK

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE SITE!

mobile page

12160.info/m

12160 Administrators

 

Latest Activity

Doc Vega posted a blog post

The Draconian Show

Sometimes I talk to my invisible friend, IkeHe comes from another dimension when magnetic fields…See More
6 hours ago
tjdavis posted a blog post
yesterday
Doc Vega posted a blog post
Wednesday
Doc Vega posted blog posts
Tuesday
Doc Vega posted blog posts
Monday
Doc Vega favorited tjdavis's photo
Sunday
Doc Vega commented on tjdavis's photo
Thumbnail

Game Night

"Ha! Good one!"
Sunday
Doc Vega commented on FREEDOMROX's blog post MRNA VACCINES: Question
"Listen man I know where you're at but back in October of 2023 thru December of 2023 for months…"
Sunday
tjdavis posted a video

Architecton | Official Trailer HD | A24

SUBSCRIBE: http://bit.ly/A24subscribeWritten and directed by Victor Kossakovsky and starring Michele De Lucchi. ARCHITECTON – Coming Soon RELEASE DATE: Comin...
Sunday
tjdavis posted photos
Sunday
tjdavis posted a blog post
Sunday
Burbia posted a video

Europe Will Not Survive

The hubris.All things Archaix at www.archaix.com
Sunday
FREEDOMROX posted a video
Jun 21
Burbia commented on tjdavis's blog post Track AIPAC
Jun 20
rlionhearted_3 commented on Doc Vega's blog post Latest Details on Missile Exchanges Between Iran and Israel
"May get really ugly over there?"
Jun 20
Doc Vega posted a blog post

Latest Details on Missile Exchanges Between Iran and Israel

Latest information about the air attacks between Israel and Iran as the US moves another carrier…See More
Jun 19
tjdavis favorited Less Prone's video
Jun 19
tjdavis posted a blog post
Jun 19
cheeki kea replied to cheeki kea's discussion Tartaria
"Some interesting information has come to light ( from the renaissance period ) which explains that…"
Jun 19
Sandy posted a video
Jun 19

© 2025   Created by truth.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

content and site copyright 12160.info 2007-2019 - all rights reserved. unless otherwise noted