A leading firm of UK lawyers has today published a 52-page opinion on the legality of the use of armed drones by UK forces in Afghanistan. In what is sure to cause consternation in Whitehall, Public Interest Lawyers (PIL) argue… Read More ›
UK Drone Operations 
Drone base invasion steps up pressure on those attempting to maintain secrecy
Six anti-drone protesters (myself included) were arrested inside RAF Waddington on Monday (June 3). The protest had three aims; 1) to symbolically breach the secrecy and silence surrounding the British use of armed drones; 2) to bring information about the impact… Read More ›
After five years of British drone strikes, five basic facts we are simply not allowed to know
Five years ago this week the first British drone strike took place somewhere in Afghanistan. Like the more than 380 British drone strikes since, details of that first strike remain shrouded in secrecy. Although we don’t know the exact day (all the… Read More ›
First British drone strike carried out from UK RAF Waddington
Less than a week ago, the UK MoD announced that British Reaper drones over Afghanistan are now being controlled directly from the UK. This morning a number of British defence journalists are reporting that the first British drone strike from UK… Read More ›
BREAKING NEWS: UK MoD confirms British Reaper drones in Afghanistan being controlled from RAF Waddington
The UK MoD has today confirmed that British drones over Afghanistan are now being controlled from the UK. For the first time UK forces can remotely control armed drones over Afghanistan while sitting in air conditioned trailers at RAF Waddington… Read More ›
Turning the spotlight on British drone secrets
The lack of transparency surrounding the US use of drones has come under the spotlight over the past few weeks during the hearings to confirm John Brennan as head of the CIA. US politicians, journalists and campaigners have rightly criticised… Read More ›
Yet more drone secrets
“What is needed is a clear understanding of the issues involved so that informed decisions can be made.” The UK Approach to Unmanned Aircraft Systems, MoD 2011 In 2011 the MoD published its policy document on the use of armed… Read More ›
Drones continue rapid development as Parliament begins to grapple with the issue
The Defence Select Committee has confirmed this week that it plans to investigate the use of armed unmanned drones. The inquiry into “the use of remotely piloted aircraft (RPAs, commonly known as “drones”)” will form part of a wider investigation… Read More ›
UK Defence Select Committee to investigate use of armed drones
The Times is today reporting that the UK Defence Select Committee is to hold an inquiry into the use of armed drones: Members of the Commons Defence Select Committee are to investigate the deployment of armed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in… Read More ›
UK drone strike casualty figures: incredible or just not credible?
This week we have been updated on some basic figures in relation to British drones in Afghanistan. In the House of Lords, Defence Minister Lord Hever detailed the number of UAVs in service in Afghanistan with British forces. As we… Read More ›
Breaking: UK 'stands up' new drone squadron this week
The Guardian has tonight revealed that the RAF will ‘stand-up’ its new drone squadron – 13 Squadron - at a ceremony at RAF Waddington this Friday (26th Oct). The UK’s five armed Reaper drones are currently piloted from Creech Air… Read More ›
Shelling Out: New Reports Shows UK Has Spent £2bn on Drones
Drone Wars UK is today publishing a report that shows the UK Government has already spent over £2 billion purchasing, developing and researching drones and unmanned systems since 2007. The report, Shelling Out: UK Government Spending on Unmanned drones, finds that… Read More ›
