As Defence acquires new missile-armed drone aircraft, it will embark on a PR campaign to promote this advanced capability and explain how it will be used.
It will stress that such aircraft can have some autonomous features but won't release weapons without human involvement.
The new unmanned aircraft aren't that far away, with the new Defence White Paper giving the go-ahead for acquisition in the early 2020s.
Defence hasn't said what type or how many, though that's likely to be 6-8 of the US General Atomics Predators or the larger MQ-9 Reapers. Early last year six RAAF personnel went to the US to train to operate Reapers.
Defence revealed some of its plans for new armed unmanned aircraft in a government response to a senate committee report on rising use of unmanned systems.
It agreed with a committee recommendation to strengthen its public communications on the controversial aircraft.
It will develop 'strategic communications guidance', prioritising opportunities to promote and explain acquisition and employment of military unmanned platforms.
That will focus on promoting their capability and reliability and explaining the policy and control mechanisms that govern their use.
The government said it would make statements about introducing the new capability at appropriate times.
Defence rejected a recommendation that it notify the government of measures taken to fill training gaps. It said unmanned aircraft would be operated under the same domestic and legal framework as manned aircraft and the same constraints under laws of armed conflict.
The Australian Defence Force has long operated unmanned surveillance aircraft, such as the Heron which was extensively used in Afghanistan. The White Paper gives the go-ahead for acquiring the long-range Triton for maritime surveillance.
Defence envisages using new armed drones to support troops on the ground, through surveillance and provision of intelligence as well as enhanced firepower.
In Australia they could be used for search and rescue, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
The US has made extensive use of armed unmanned aircraft in recent conflicts. But that remains contentious because of their use to target terrorists in Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia, with claims that such attacks have resulted in civilian casualties.
Source : Here