Drones

Army seeks micro spy drones in the sky

The Australian Army will buy up to 200 spy planes — small enough to be held between two fingers — fitted with cameras to let troops see what threat is lying ahead.

The army says the nano drone will provide soldiers in the field with an “over the hill, down the road and around the corner” ­reconnaissance capability.

It is likely to be used by a special forces combat team of four or five soldiers or by a platoon of 30.

The Australian Defence Force has opened tenders to supply 200 of the tiny helicopters, which The Australian has been told that with control units, batteries and other supporting equipment are likely to cost several million dollars. One option is the game-changing Black Hornet nano, which was successfully trialled by Australian troops on operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.