Sunday, October 9, 2016

US and 44 Nations Declare Armed Drone Export/Use Limits


Global Drone Trade: World's Largest Importing And Exporting Countries
» CEOWORLD magazine


Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
An increasing number of States are acquiring and employing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to support a range of missions, including military missions that promote peace and security. Individual States may already have laws and policies in place to ensure the responsible export and use of UAVs that are armed, or that include equipment related uniquely to the deployment or delivery of weapons. However, recognizing that misuse of armed or strike-enabled UAVs could fuel conflict and instability, and facilitate terrorism and organized crime, the international community must take appropriate transparency measures to ensure the responsible export and subsequent use of these systems. In this context, we continue to recognize the following principles, none of which should be construed to undermine the legitimate interest of any State to indigenously produce, export, or acquire such systems for legitimate purposes:
  • A. The applicability of international law, including both the law of armed conflict and international human rights law, as applicable, to the use of armed or strike-enabled UAVs, as with other weapon systems;
  • B. The importance of engaging in the responsible export of armed or strike-enabled UAVs in line with existing relevant international arms control and disarmament norms that help build confidence as to the peaceful intention of States;
  • C. That the export of armed or strike-enabled UAVs should be done consistent with the principles of existing multilateral export control and nonproliferation regimes, taking into account the potential recipient country’s history regarding adherence to its relevant international obligations and commitments;
  • D. The importance of appropriate voluntary transparency measures on the export of armed or strike-enabled UAVs including reporting of military exports through existing mechanisms, where appropriate, and with due regard to national security considerations; and
  • E. That in light of the rapid development of UAV technology and the benefit of setting international standards for the export and subsequent use of such systems, we are resolved to continue discussions on how these capabilities are transferred and used responsibly by all States.

We call upon other governments to support this declaration.

The declaration was issued by the United States and the governments of
  1. Argentina, 
  2. Australia, 
  3. Austria, 
  4. Belgium, 
  5. Bulgaria, 
  6. Canada, 
  7. Chile, 
  8. Colombia, 
  9. Czech Republic, 
  10. Estonia, 
  11. Finland, 
  12. Georgia, 
  13. Germany, 
  14. Hungary, 
  15. Ireland, 
  16. Italy, 
  17. Japan, 
  18. Latvia, 
  19. Lithuania, 
  20. Luxembourg, 
  21. Malawi, 
  22. Malta, 
  23. Montenegro, 
  24. Netherlands, 
  25. New Zealand, 
  26. Nigeria, 
  27. Paraguay, 
  28. Philippines, 
  29. Poland, 
  30. Portugal, 
  31. Republic of Korea, 
  32. Romania, 
  33. Serbia, 
  34. Seychelles, 
  35. Singapore, 
  36. Slovakia, 
  37. Slovenia, 
  38. South Africa, 
  39. Spain, 
  40. Sri Lanka, 
  41. Sweden, 
  42. Ukraine, 
  43. United Kingdom
  44. Uruguay.
World of Drones | The International Security Program
According to data collected by New America, there are 86 countries that have some sort of drone capability, both armed and unarmed. So far, eight countries have used armed drones in combat: the United States, Israel, the United Kingdom, Pakistan, Iraq, Nigeria, Iran, and Turkey. One non-state actor, Hezbollah, has also used armed drones in combat. But many other countries are arming drones and it’s only a matter of time before they deploy them in combat. According to New America’s research, 19 countries have armed drones or are acquiring armed drone technology.

All of These Countries Now Have Weaponized Drones
these are just the ones we know about.
Last week Nigeria joined a dubious international clique when it bombed a logistics base used by the militant group Boko Haram in the country’s northeast. Though the airstrike itself was unremarkable—the Nigerian Air Force has conducted hundreds of strikes against Boko Haram in recent months—it was the first Nigeria has delivered via an unmanned drone.

For many, the news wasn’t that Nigeria had used a weaponized drone in combat for the first time, but that the Nigerian military has weaponized drones at all. While it’s well-understood that military powers like the U.S., U.K., and China possess armed drones, it’s less well-known that Nigeria, South Africa, and Somalia (most likely) have them as well. Pakistan and Iraq have both used weaponized drones in combat inside their own borders. At least a dozen other nations have publicly declared they are pursuing armed drone technologies, and countless others seek to discreetly build or buy them as well.
In the past 18 months the weaponized drone club has quietly grown to double-digit membership, largely thanks to Chinese technology that is both less expensive and easier to obtain than U.S. drone technology.

So how many countries now possess armed drones? The long answer is nuanced, depending on what exactly constitutes a “weaponized drone.” The short answer is at least 10, and soon it will be a far larger club than that.

White House Rolls Out Armed Drone Declaration
Notably missing from the list of countries are Russia, China, India and Israel, seen as current or future exporters of armed drones. Israel, in particular, had previously expressed great skepticism about the deal.


For years, experts like Horowitz have warned that countries that may look to operate armed UAVs without regard for US norms would turn to those nations, a concern that still exists.

“One challenge for the United States and its allies and partners will be getting China, Russia and other actors on board with any joint declaration,” he said. “China, in particular, may view reluctance on the part of the US to export UAVs as a market opportunity.”

"Nilsson said there was “extensive engagement with both China and Israel,” and also had talks with Russia despite them being “not so much a producer or exporter.”

As to concerns that without big exporters of armed UAVs on board, the group has less impact than it otherwise might, Nilsson called it “a fair criticism — just as it’s fair to point out most governments don’t belong to [the informal, non-treaty Missile Technology Control Regime]. But there is merit to maintaining those export control regimes, even if the memberships are small.”

Israel’s Growing Arms Export - Languages Of The World
Israel is considered to be the world’s leading exporter of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Missile-armed drones were developed by Israel to assassinate key militant leaders; the US has been using such drones against al-Qaeda, its first such ‘targeted killing’ mission being carried out in Yemen in November 2002. In 2001‑2011, Israeli companies were behind 41% of all UAVs exported to 24 countries, including the US, India, Russia, Nigeria, and Mexico.

Read more: http://www.languagesoftheworld.info/uncategorized/israels-growing-arms-export.html#ixzz4Mc5CdCVv

Fact Sheet: Joint Declaration for the Export and Subsequent Use of Armed or Strike-Enabled Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
This Joint Declaration will serve as the basis for discussions on a more detailed set of international standards for the export and subsequent use of armed or strike-enabled UAVs, which the United States and its partners will convene in Spring 2017. These discussions will be open to all countries, even if they choose not to join the Joint Declaration.

For further information, please contact the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Office of Congressional and Public Affairs at pm-cpa@state.gov, visit our website, and follow us on Twitter @StateDeptPM. 

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