From AFP:  Germany has cancelled a planned ‘Euro Hawk’ drone programme fearing European authorities will not certify them, a defence ministry source said Tuesday after reported European safety concerns.

Germany had "no hope" of seeing the unmanned aircraft, part of a programme that would have cost more than one billion euros ($1.3 billion), approved for use, said the source speaking on condition of anonymity.

The European Aviation Safety Agency has said it would only certify the drones to fly over unpopulated areas because of a lack of an anti-collision system to protect airliners, according to German press reports.

"The equipment is not ready for approval without immense expenditure," the source added.

Germany has already spent 508 million euros on a Euro Hawk prototype and was due to fork out a further 500 million on four more models.  (photo: Northrop Grumman)

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