LARGE fleets of military drones – both Australian and foreign – could soon fill the Territory’s skies.

In a submission to a Federal Government inquiry on “unmanned aircraft systems”, the NT Government said it would welcome US and Australian drones being based at RAAF Tindal, on the outskirts of Katherine.

The senate inquiry held its most recent hearings late last week, and will table a report by June 25.

“Basing such systems in the Northern Territory, particularly at RAAF Base Tindal, where population centres are small and there are vast remote areas between those centres, is likely to attract far less adverse public concern than in the major population centres such as Adelaide and Brisbane,” the submission said.

The report, authored by NT Department of Business manager of defence industry development Graham Tribe, argues that drones will play a key role in border protection, and in maintaining a military presence around strategically important offshore oil and gas projects.

The report describes Darwin as a “resilient, welcoming and united in its support of ­Defence, Defence personnel and Defence families.” The NT was the only state or Territory government to lodge a submission with the inquiry, which was dominated by aerospace companies and human rights groups.