Labor scraps controversial drone deal Peter Dutton oversaw in government

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has described Labor's approach to defence as "contemptible", following revelations a controversial drone project he approved just before last year's election has been scrapped. Key points: Human rights groups claim the Austrian-made Schiebel S-100 CAMCOPTER has also been sold to Myanmar in an apparent breach of EU sanctions The unarmed helicopter drone is also made under licence by Russia and has been purchased by China for use on its guided missile destroyers Decisions on the future make-up of the Navy's surface fleet won't be made for several months The cancelled plans to buy reconnaissance drones used by China and Russia under a $1 billion Navy project were controversially approved just days before last year's election by then-defence minister Mr Dutton. Schiebel's unarmed helicopter drone is also made under licence by Russia and has been purchased by China for use on its guided missile destroyers. Decisions on the future makeup of the Navy's surface fleet won't be made for several months, with the government confirming its response to what was meant to be a "short, sharp" review won't be delivered until early next year.