Washington, December 17: The US military is adding more drones and expanding its video surveillance in Afghanistan to boost its military operations there.
According to the US Air Force General David Deptula, the drones will meet the needs of 30,000 more troops set to be sent to the country next year.
Deptula said each drone will collect 10 video transmissions and beam them back to 10 different users on the ground.
The comments came as Defense Secretary Robert Gates continued to press the Air Force to find ways to more rapidly provide better intelligence to the US and its allies in Afghanistan.
The first troop units of the surge ordered by US President Barack Obama have begun to arrive in Afghanistan, a Pentagon official said on Wednesday.
Obama has increased attacks by drones in Afghanistan and Pakistan, claiming they target Taliban and al-Qaeda militants.
However, Afghan and Pakistani authorities criticize the attacks that have killed hundreds of civilians in both countries.
——Agencies