British drones “will always be under human control”

Several media outlets have claimed that the RAF’s new “artificially intelligent drone” will have the capacity to attack targets of its own accord.

It should be noted though that British rules of engagement do not permit drones to attack without human sanction.

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said:

“The UK does not possess fully autonomous weapon systems and has no intention of developing or acquiring them. The operation of our weapons will always be under human control as an absolute guarantee of human oversight, authority and accountability for their use.”

Last year, David Cameron has promised to increase Britain’s military capability to fight Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria, including a doubling of the RAF’s fleet of drones.

The prime minister also told the Sunday Telegraph the UK would spend hundreds of millions of pounds on state-of-the-art equipment for special forces.

He said it was essential to meet the terrorist threat facing the UK.