The Obama administration is lightening their hold on the selling of armed (and unarmed) military drones to friendly nations and allies as part of a broader U.S. strategy to cooperate with other nations to form global standards for the sale, transfer and use of unmanned aerial vehicles. Realizing that this technology is here to stay, the State Department issued an announcement that “It’s to our benefit to have certain allies and partners equipped properly.” So, the U.S. government has decided to go into the drone-selling business.

Covered in a new policy are the following requirements for foreign governments to be allowed to purchase armed and unarmed drones:

• Pledge not to use the drone illegally, for example no spying or attacking citizens; and
• Sign end-use statements certifying that the drones would only be used in internationally- sanctioned military operations, such as self-defense.

Each purchase will be evaluated and approved on a case-by-case basis, and the U.S. would have the right to monitor drone usage for compliance.

U.S. officials claim that historically they have only sold armed drones to Britain; however, with drone strikes an integral part of global warfare, maybe it does make sense to arm our allies with such technology.

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