LETHAL AUTONOMOUS WEAPONS SYSTEMS: PLAYING WITH FIRE?
Geopolitics|June 2023
It is important to acknowledge that non-state actors do not necessarily recognize, or adhere to, the Laws of Armed Conflict (LoAC). Consequently, it becomes crucial to establish strict  regulations regarding the development and proliferation of Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems (LAWS). Such regulations should go beyond mere statutes and actively address the need to ensure the responsible use of LAWS and prevent their misuse by unauthorized actors, argues GIRISH LINGANNA.
GIRISH LINGANNA.
LETHAL AUTONOMOUS WEAPONS SYSTEMS: PLAYING WITH FIRE?

In early January 1942, the United States of America initiated Project X-Ray, a unique endeavour aimed at utilizing the Mexican Bat, a species found in the southwestern region of the country, as a retaliatory weapon in response to the attack on Pearl Harbour by the Japanese. The strategy involved attaching incendiary bombs onto the bodies of bats and releasing them from cluster containers which were specially produced to open only at an altitude of 1,000 feet or more.

Once released, these armed bats would seek shelter in buildings predominantly constructed from flammable materials such as wood. The incendiaries would detonate upon roosting, resulting in widespread fires.

Although the project was eventually abandoned due to the ongoing development of the Atomic Bomb, Project X-Ray serves as an exceptional illustration of efforts to employ cost-effective, lethal and autonomous weapons in modern warfare.

In November 2017, the Future of Life Institute, a US-based non-profit organization, released a YouTube video highlighting the existential risks associated with 'Slaughterbots' miniature autonomous drones equipped with Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities to carry out targeted antipersonnel strikes. The video emphasised the alarming potential of these lethal machines, surpassing the destructive power of nuclear weapons and predicted their utilization by both state and nonstate actors to achieve national, political, or ideological objectives through mass extermination. This portrayal shed light on the urgency of addressing the development and deployment of autonomous weapons.

This story is from the June 2023 edition of Geopolitics.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the June 2023 edition of Geopolitics.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM GEOPOLITICSView All
THE NEW WAVE OF MARINE LANDING CRAFT.
Geopolitics

THE NEW WAVE OF MARINE LANDING CRAFT.

BAE Systems' new Littoral Strike Craft combines advanced stealth, comfort, and modularity to redefine modern amphibious mission capabilities.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2024
PROVEN AIP FOR S80 SUBMARINES
Geopolitics

PROVEN AIP FOR S80 SUBMARINES

The BEST AIP system is capable of operating at any depth and in all operational conditions, allowing it to adapt to any Navy mission and making it the most advanced AIP system on the market.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2024
SHAPING THE FUTURE OF AI SECURE, SCALABLE, AND INNOVATIVE
Geopolitics

SHAPING THE FUTURE OF AI SECURE, SCALABLE, AND INNOVATIVE

Tardid leverages modular AI designs, robust cybersecurity, and adaptability to deliver secure and scalable solutions, integrating emerging technologies and refining strategies through realworld deployments, shares AASTHA VERMA, Chief Operating Officer, Tardid Technologies, with Geopolitics

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2024
TOT-AN IMPERATIVE FOR SUBMARINE MANUFACTURING
Geopolitics

TOT-AN IMPERATIVE FOR SUBMARINE MANUFACTURING

India's transition from offset strategies to fostering self-reliance through technology transfer (TOT) and local assembly highlights the significance of global collaborations like thyssenkrupp Marine Systems in shaping a robust, indigenised defence ecosystem, a perspective shared by KHALIL RAHMAN, CEO, thyssenkrupp Marine Systems India.

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2024
ENHANCING INDIAN NAVAL AVIATION
Geopolitics

ENHANCING INDIAN NAVAL AVIATION

JYOTI SINGH reports how a powerful Indian naval air arm will prove to be the biggest seabased conventional level deterrence, both for the tactical and strategic battlefields

time-read
10 mins  |
December 2024
PROJECT-751-30 YEARS ON
Geopolitics

PROJECT-751-30 YEARS ON

India's ambitious Project-751, aimed at procuring six advanced submarines, remains stalled nearly three decades after its inception.

time-read
7 mins  |
December 2024
WINGS OVER THE OCEAN
Geopolitics

WINGS OVER THE OCEAN

Indian Naval Aviation is dramatically upgrading its combat potency with its latest inductions, writes Atul Chandra

time-read
7 mins  |
December 2024
HOW INDIA IS RESHAPING REGIONAL DETERRENCE, MARITIME DOMINANCE
Geopolitics

HOW INDIA IS RESHAPING REGIONAL DETERRENCE, MARITIME DOMINANCE

In the theatre of modern geopolitics, control over the seas is synonymous with strategic dominance. With its vast coastline and critical position in the Indo-Pacific, India has always recognised the importance of maritime strength, outlines GIRISH LINGANNA

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2024
BUILDERS NAVY
Geopolitics

BUILDERS NAVY

The Indian Navy's modernisation efforts are picking up steam, with domestic shipyards running at full capacity, reports MIKE RAJKUMAR

time-read
8 mins  |
December 2024
THE NAVY'S NEED FOR SUBMARINES
Geopolitics

THE NAVY'S NEED FOR SUBMARINES

While aircraft carriers have their place, submarines provide India with a more flexible, cost-effective, and survivable option for projecting power and maintaining deterrence in a complex and evolving strategic environment, argues AMIT GUPTA

time-read
10+ mins  |
December 2024