U.S. to drastically increase drone flights over conflict zones: reportAugust 17, 2015 - 14:18 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The U.S. military will drastically increase drone flights over the next four years, in a bid to boost intelligence and strike capabilities across a growing number of conflict zones, the Wall Street Journal reported. The Pentagon is planning to expand the number of daily flights from 61 at present to as many as 90 by 2019, a senior defense official told the Journal, according to AFP. The move represents the first significant increase in the controversial U.S. drone program since 2011, reflecting the rise in global hotspots. As well as providing extra surveillance in regions such as Ukraine, Iraq, Syria, the South China Sea and North Africa, the new plan would expand the Pentagon's capacity for lethal drone air strikes. That program, which has expanded massively under President Barack Obama, is the subject of frequent criticism from observers who say the highly secretive drone raids have killed many innocent civilians. Nonpartisan groups say U.S. drone strikes have killed at least 3,000 people, the Journal reported. Under the new plans, the U.S. Air Force, which currently carries out the bulk of drone missions, would get help from the Army, Special Operations Command and government contractors. Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |