Pakistan’s military once used Google Earth to plan air assaults on targets. The lack of precision offered by off-the-shelf consumer satellite technology may have lead to undesired damage or fatalities.

Recently Pakistan’s Airforce has improved its targeting capabilities for guided missles, which will greatly contribute to its fight against the Taliban in the Swat Valley and also reduce the probability for collateral damage. The Pakistan Airforce has moved away from scorched-earth artillery and air tactics that had been used last year against insurgents in the the Bajaur tribal agency. The Pakistan air force is now using spy planes and other surveillance aircraft along with laser guided bombs to improve accuracy.

One of the main reasons for Pakistan’s move to improve their targeting technologies was prevent the alienation of the population within regions of conflict should civilian deaths be incurred.