CIA Pressing for More Drones

The CIA is pressing for an expansion of its fleet of drones to expand the capacity to strike in Pakistan, Yemen, and other emerging trouble spots. The expansion would be another step in the transformation of the spy agency into a paramilitary force, officials tell The Washington Post.

CIA Director David H. Petraeus is seeking White House approval to add 10 armed drones to the fleet that has averaged about 35 in recent years. In recent years, the CIA has become a key player in the targeting and killing of terrorism suspects, the Post reported.

The CIA’s proposal will have to undergo review by a number of officials including the president’s counter¬terrorism adviser, John O. Brennan, and officials from the CIA, the Pentagon, the State Department, according to the Post.

Regardless of the outcome, the CIA’s fleet does not approach the size of fleets controlled by branches of the military. The Air Force alone has nearly 250 drones, the Post reported.