The use of unmanned drones in military operations has been a long and controversial topic in warfare, but as Press TV’s Daniel Pizarro reports, with the advancement of technology, there are serious concerns about drones in the hands of civilians.
They’re used in military exercises and for civilian use, but Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, better known as drones continues to be a controversial subject in Australia and abroad.
The debate was the major topic at the Lowy Institute, where experts discussed the morality of unmanned drones in warfare, privacy and surveillance.
Supporters of military drones argue that they allow for fewer casualties and more precise hits, but the controversial use of drones in military operations is highlighted in US assassination missions in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Yemen and Somalia, where it’s estimated that hundreds of civilians have been killed by drones.
The debate comes amid the recent revelations that U.S Drones flew secret missions from Australia from 2001 to at least 2007 and just weeks ago the Australian Defense Force quietly resumed the decision to purchase 3 billion dollars’ worth of drones for surveillance use.
The civilian drone industry is growing thanks to cheaper prices and technology and equipment necessary to hand make drones becoming more accessible and are used in areas such as land surveillance, rescue operations and simple fun.
But with drones becoming increasingly popular for commercial and personal use, there are now serious concerns about them being potential hazards to commercial aircraft and the unsuspecting public.
Mark Corcoran says regulations are hopelessly out of date, but the Civil Aviation and Safety Authority: CASA, is currently undergoing a review into the rules governing civilian drones.
——Courtesy: Press Tv