toulon france france decide arm surveillance drone west africa part counter-terrorism operations islamist militants defense minister florence parly say tuesday french president emmanuel macron make fight islamist militants primary foreign policy objective move arm drone fit aggressive policy time look increasingly unlikely paris able withdraw region medium long-term france currently five unarm reaper reconnaissance drone position niger capital niamey support 4,000-strong barkhane counter-terrorism operation africa one france beyond border enemy furtive mobile disappear vast sahel desert dissimulate amidst civilian population parly say speech military face remain static methods equipment must adapt mind decide launch process arm intelligence surveillance drone six 12 reaper drone build u.s. firm general atomics order france 2013 intervention mali eventually replace eads-made harfang drone due deliver 2019. defense ministry say tuesday new drone would deliver hellfire missiles exist six would arm 2020 possibly european munition previous french administrations shy away purchase arm drone fear possible increase civilian casualties al qaeda north african wing aqim relate islamist group largely confine sahara desert hijack rebellion ethnic tuareg separatists mali 2012 sweep south french force intervene follow year prevent take mali capital bamako since gradually expand reach across region launch high-profile attack mali burkina faso ivory coast well much frequent small attack military target end july military base niger officer pilot tell reuters imperative arm drone efficient quick tackle jihadist group future arm drone enable us accompany surveillance ... capacity strike opportune moment able gain efficiency limit risk collateral damage parly say france also work germany italy spain develop european drone expect ready 2025. france turn arm drone fight sahel militants