Afghan Army Launches First Surveillance Drones In Helmand Province

Aided by American advisers, the Afghan army on Monday launched its first unmanned surveillance drones from a base in Helmand province to try to expand its ability to provide its own air support.

Afghan forces are struggling to build up an independent air force as Taliban insurgents step up offensives across the country.

Government troops remain heavily reliant on international aircraft to supply surveillance, intelligence, and occasionally air strikes.

The first unarmed ScanEagle unmanned aircraft are based in Helmand, which has seen heavy fighting, as well as a training base in Mazar-i-Sharif in northern Afghanistan.

The army will receive eight "systems" from Washington, each including six aircraft, that are planned to be eventually used in all of the most contested areas in the country.

"Before this technology, they relied on human and signals intelligence," Major Jason White, a US Army adviser, said in a statement. "The ScanEagle systems considerably increase their intelligence collection and reconnaissance ability."