Drones

45 nations sign declaration on export, use of armed and strike-enabled drones

The United States and 44 other countries issued a joint declaration Thursday regarding the responsible export of armed and strike-enabled drones, the State Department announced.

With an increasing number of countries employing drones for a range of missions, and while many states already have restrictions in place, this week's declaration aimed to formally recognize certain principles regarding the future of the new vehicles, the State Department release said.

"Recognizing that misuse of armed or strike-enabled [drones] could fuel conflict and instability, and facilitate terrorism and organized crime, the international community must take appropriate transparency measures to ensure the responsible export and subsequent use of these systems," the declaration said.