Spy drones request by NZ troops rejected

A request from New Zealand soldiers in Afghanistan to have spy drone planes was rejected despite their use by private companies and coalition forces.

The informal request for unmanned aerial vehicles was rejected by Defence Force Headquarters, Radio New Zealand reported.

The Defence Force has been developing unmanned planes but they have never deployed them.

They are used by private companies in New Zealand to take photos and video.

Defence Minister Wayne Mapp told Radio New Zealand the drones kept troops safe and they should be deployed.