Armed drone aircraft have been operated remotely from Britain for the first time, the Ministry of Defense has said.

It said Reaper drones had flown missions controlled from RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire, where campaign groups are expected to protest against the practice later.

The MoD said it respected people's rights to protest peacefully.

The drones are mainly used for surveillance, but could use weapons if commanded to by their pilots in the UK.

The MoD has defended its use of drones in Afghanistan, which it says have saved the lives of countless military personnel and civilians.

The 10 Reaper aircraft are all based in Afghanistan to support UK and coalition forces and can carry 500lb bombs and Hellfire missiles for strikes on insurgents.

They are piloted remotely, but launched and landed with human help at Kandahar airbase.

The MoD says that when weapons are used, the same rules of engagement are followed that govern the use of weapons on manned aircraft, BBC News reported.