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

rlionhearted_3 posted a status
"Macron, Zelensky and others are so busted!! State of the Nation has video! I don’t know how to download it? Need help with the download."
3 hours ago
rlionhearted_3 posted photos
3 hours ago
Doc Vega commented on cheeki kea's photo
Thumbnail

more lines

"He's damn lucky he hasn't been assassinated yet for all the death and destruction…"
22 hours ago
Doc Vega posted a blog post

Shadows from the Crevasse

  Haunted by shadows from the crevasse of memoriesA man who thought himself talented and…See More
22 hours ago
cheeki kea commented on cheeki kea's photo
Thumbnail

more lines

"This sad puppet learning his lines has ruined his country, its population and its future and now he…"
yesterday
Burbia favorited Burbia's video
yesterday
cheeki kea posted photos
yesterday
rlionhearted_3 posted photos
yesterday
Doc Vega posted blog posts
Friday
rlionhearted_3 favorited Sandy's photo
Friday
rlionhearted_3 commented on Sandy's photo
Thumbnail

Screenshot_20250505-172225~2

"Hunter Biden fucking filmed himself with children and drugs!!!!!"
Friday
rlionhearted_3 commented on Sandy's photo
Friday
Less Prone favorited Sandy's photo
Wednesday
tjdavis posted a photo
Wednesday
tjdavis posted a video

2073 - Official Trailer

It’s the year 2073, and the worst fears of modern life have been realized. Surveillance drones fill the burnt orange skies and militarized police roam the wr...
Wednesday
Doc Vega posted blog posts
Tuesday
Doc Vega favorited cheeki kea's blog post The Decades of Evidence SSRI Antidepressants Cause Mass Shootings
Tuesday
Doc Vega commented on cheeki kea's blog post The Decades of Evidence SSRI Antidepressants Cause Mass Shootings
"We have American soldiers coming home from serving in the Middle East under 14 different…"
Tuesday
cheeki kea posted a blog post
Tuesday
Sandy posted a photo
Tuesday

© 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