Rise of drones in UK airspace prompts civil liberties warning

Drones will be commonplace in the skies above the UK within a decade, according to a European commission document suggesting that hundreds of firms will develop new uses for them.

But the claims have prompted concerns from civil liberties groups, who fear that the unmanned aircraft will result in more forms of surveillance. Some 95% of drones in operation are used by the military, but the document notes they now also have "great potential for civil applications".

The commission's working paper, Towards a European Strategy for the Development of Civil Applications of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems, claims there are some 400 civilian drone applications in development across the EU. This number is expected to rise in the next decade.

It is estimated that 35,000 drones will be produced worldwide in the next 10 years. Currently the US and Israel produce two-thirds of drones, while Europe produces fewer than 10%.

Jamie Doward
The Observer