Britain given go-ahead to spend $1 BILLION on buying American Predator drones

BRITAIN has been given the go-ahead to buy more than £800 million worth of killer drones from the United States.

On Wednesday, the U.S. State Department notified Congress of a possible $1 billion sale of Predator drones, equipment and training to this country, the U.S. Defence Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement.

Britain has requested 26 Predator B unmanned aerial vehicles, which are manufactured by San Diego-based General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc, the statement said.

"The UK is a close ally and an important partner on critical foreign policy and defense issues," it continued.

"The proposed sale will enhance U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives by enhancing the UK’s capabilities to provide national defence and contribute to NATO and coalition operations."

The State Department said the drones will be used by the "UK’s armed forces and coalition forces engaged in current and future peacekeeping, peace-enforcing, counter-insurgent, and counter-terrorism operations".

However, the British Ministry of Defence has not yet agreed to make the purchase and informing Congress is an early step in this process.

Last year, the Ministry of Defence announced a £178 billion equipment buying plan designed to "ensure the UK can respond to diverse threats in an increasingly dangerous and uncertain world".