U.S. establishes policy for exports of armed drones

[xocet]

Source: Reuters

By Andrea Shalal and Emily Stephenson
WASHINGTON Tue Feb 17, 2015 7:46pm EST

The U.S. government on Tuesday established a policy for exports of military and commercial drones, including armed ones, and said it plans to work with other countries to shape global standards for the use of the controversial weapons systems.

The State Department said it would allow exports of lethal U.S. military drones under strict conditions, including that sales must be made through government programs and that recipient nations must agree to certain "end-use assurances."

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

It could help U.S. companies boost sales of military and commercial drones in an increasingly competitive global market.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/18/us-usa-drones-exports-idUSKBN0LL21720150218

[PSPS]

1. There goes our "Nobel Peace Prize" winner again!

[damyank913]

2. Hey, now we have standards...

...what could possibly go wrong?

[christx30]

3. Id feel safer if they

we're forced to pinky-swear. Anything else is not going to be enough.

[jakeXT]

4. Poland is buying

Missiles, Choppers, Drones

Poland has earmarked €33.6 billion ($42 billion) on the upgrade over a decade, which includes a missile shield and anti-aircraft systems, armored personnel carriers and submarines as well as combat drones.

The plans bring Warsaw in line with NATO's recommended defense spending level of 2 percent of gross domestic product.

Its long shopping list is full of pricey items including multi-role and combat helicopters, an anti-missile system and cruise missiles for submarines and drones.

Seventy multi-role helicopters top the list, a contract worth €2.5 billion.

http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/international/europe/2015/02/15/poland-spend-billions-defense-amid-rumblings-war-europe/23457827/

[hack89]

6. It makes sense, given their history and location, that Poland have a strong military. nt

[Sunlei]

5. they can always go back to bombs on a balloon.

[rwsanders]

7. Buyer beware...

You may end up with the same deal Saddam Hussein got. Today's "Freedom Fighter/ally/strategic partner" is tomorrow's biggest threat ever and target for pre-emptive strike.