SYDNEY, Feb. 4 (UPI) -- Australia is reportedly ready to spend $1 billion for about a dozen unmanned spy planes that will be able to conduct surveillance as far as North Korea.
The Australian said the U.S.-made Global Hawk, produced by Northrop Grumman, is fitted with sophisticated surveillance radar and eavesdropping communications technology. The drones can loiter over an area for 24 hours at heights of 12 miles.
Australian Defense Minister Robert Hill said the spy planes will help his nation protect its coastal waters, assist its armed forces in combat, spy on rogue states, and spot terrorist training camps. He said the plans also have civilian uses, such as helping control
However, Hill told The Australian the spy planes use in maritime surveillance against smuggling is even more exiting.
"If you can put an unmanned vehicle up that can travel for 24 hours over huge distances, you can basically have a continual surveillance capability," Hill said.
