Armed drones launched from RAF base in UK – defense ministryApril 27, 2013 - 10:55 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - 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. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Putin congratulates Pashinyan’s birthday Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his birthday on June 1. Opposition motorcade en route to Gyumri for large rally A motorcade of protesters headed by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan is heading to the city of Gyumri. Ruling MPs, Foreign Minister talk Armenia-Azerbaijan processes MOs from the ruling Civil Contract party met with the Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in the Armenian parliament. Russia: Armenia’s frozen membership weakens CSTO position in Caucasus A Russian envoy said any step that could alienate the CSTO member states from each other is “deeply wrong”. |