Use of Drones in Defence Debate

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Department: Ministry of Defence

Use of Drones in Defence

Apsana Begum Excerpts
Wednesday 3rd September 2025

(2 days, 22 hours ago)

Westminster Hall
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Apsana Begum Portrait Apsana Begum (Poplar and Limehouse) (Ind)
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The hon. Member may be aware that some months ago a surgeon broke down while giving evidence to the International Development Committee describing what appeared to be some form of artificial intelligence or unmanned vehicles descending to shoot children in Gaza after bombing had occurred. Does he agree that drones should never be used to kill children? We must know whether drones developed or made in the UK that were exported to Israel before licences were suspended are being used to shoot children in Gaza.

Peter Fortune Portrait Peter Fortune
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It is not my place to talk about what the Israeli Government are doing, but I know that there are international laws of conflict, and everybody should adhere to them.

In conclusion—I have started so I shall finish—the Government need to embrace this issue, and fast. We cannot afford to wait and see. Britain must foster companies, train our forces and develop countermeasures to ensure that we master this new form of warfare.