SN06493.pdf — page 37

37 Overview of military drones used by the UK armed forces 
the selection and prosecution of all ISAF targets, which is the 
subject of a rigorous process that is compliant with international 
humanitarian law. Every effort is made to minimise the risk of 
collateral damage, particularly civilian casualties, which includes in 
some circumstances deciding not to engage the target.149 
Defence Minister Lord Astor discussed the MOD’s policy on armed RPAS 
during the Committee stage of the Defence Reform Bill in early 2014: 
The UK policy relating to use of and targeting by remotely piloted 
aircraft systems is exactly the same as that for manned aircraft. It 
is entirely compliant with international humanitarian law and the 
law of armed conflict. The rules of engagement used by Reaper 
pilots are no different from those used by manned aircraft pilots. 
Targets are always positively identified as legitimate military 
objectives following the principles of distinction, humanity, 
proportionality and military necessity.150 
The RAF and Ministry of Defence also explained in detail the chains of 
command for tasking RPAS in Afghanistan in written evidence to the 
Defence Committee.151 The RAF states: 
The majority of the weapons employed from Reaper have been 
Hellfire missiles. Hellfire has a relatively small warhead which helps 
minimise any risk of collateral damage. Regardless of the type of 
weapon system employed, a full collateral damage assessment is 
conducted before any weapon release; this is irrespective of 
whether that weapon is released by a manned or remotely piloted 
aircraft. On current operations, many UK Reaper weapons 
engagements have been authorised by a Forward Air Controller 
(FAC) or Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) who will be 
observing the target on the ground or from Land Forces HQs.152 
6.5 Civilian casualties 
The Ministry of Defence has stated that it seeks to avoid civilian 
casualties while undertaking airstrikes. It says it knows of only one 
incident involving an armed UK RPAS which resulted in the deaths of 
civilians. This was in Afghanistan on 25 March 2011. Six people, 
including four civilians - two women and two children - were killed 
during an attack on two pick-up trucks. Two of the six were believed to 
be enemy combatants and were the target of the air strike.153  
Defence Minister Mark Francois explained the Government’s position in 
regard to current operations in Iraq: 
The UK seeks to avoid civilian casualties while undertaking 
airstrikes against ISIL targets. All airstrikes are conducted in 
accordance with International Humanitarian Law, following the 
principles of distinction, humanity, proportionality and military 
necessity. The UK's clearly defined Rules of Engagement are 
formulated on this basis. The same strict Rules of Engagement 
that govern the use of manned military aircraft also apply to 
remotely piloted aircraft systems. Careful selection and approval 
of targets before a strike, together with the use of precision 
                                                                                             
149  HC Deb 12 July 2012 c381W 
150  HL 5 February 2014 cGC92 
151  Defence Committee, Remote Control: Remotely Piloted Air Systems – current and 
future UK use, 25 March 2014, HC 772 2013-14, Ev 1 
152  Reaper MQ9A RPAS, RAF website, accessed 7 April 2015 
153  UN Human Rights Council, A/HRC/25/59, 11 March 2014, para 39