Israel refuses to sign document regulating use of drones

Israeli occupation authorities have refused to sign an American formulated document regulating the use of attack drones, fearing it would undermine its military exports, Defence World reported Israeli newspaper Haaretz saying today.

Israeli sources in the defence industry were reportedly fear the American document could limit their export business.

They noted that it is an American attempt to damage Israeli exports, citing American admission to India to the multilateral Missile Technology Control Regime. This, the Israeli sources said, removed barriers to the sale of American drones to India, and thus, reduces Israeli exports to this country.

According to Haaretz, the American is one page and it covers international legal standards, oversight of exports and transparency in the use and export of armed drones.

Haaretz reported that some 40 nations from the American allies, including Austria, German and Italy had already signed the document. Israel, France, Russia, China and Brazil are among those which refused to sign it.

Defence World said that in February 2015, the US Department of State announced a “new policy” pertaining to the export of military drones, that a number of news outlets have hailed as a lifting of restrictions on the export of military, armed drones – referred to as Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS).