The Indian military is currently embarking on a mission to incorporate Unmanned Combat Systems (UCS) into its operations. A prominent example of this development is the induction of “Swarm Drones” in August 2022 into mechanized forces, demonstrating the significance of autonomous systems in creating a resilient Indian Navy. Despite their emerging role in armed conflict, artificially intelligent unmanned combat systems raise questions of law, ethics, and accountability.
Understanding Unmanned Combat Systems
Unmanned Combat Systems are projected to revolutionize future warfare and serve as the new age weapons. Widely being researched and developed by military powers, they lack a universally accepted definition. Primarily, UCS refers to an integrated combat system consisting of unmanned combat platforms, task payloads, command and control systems, and network systems. Uses for these systems can be sorted into various categories, including deep space, aerial vehicle, ground, surface and underwater unmanned systems.
These innovative technologies provide a potential solution to the increasingly complex international situation and brutal military wars that pose significant threats to the lives and safety of combat soldiers. They can conduct surveillance, electronic interference, and direct combat through remote control and wireless communication equipment.
Artificial Intelligence in Warfare: Ethical Concerns
While AI has many applications in modern warfare, it also raises multiple ethical issues. One concern involves the risk of shared responsibility between networked systems when weapon algorithms are sourced from abroad, or when satellite and link systems enabling combat solutions are beyond the user’s control. AI may also undermine rational decision-making processes due to inherent biases in data collection, instruction sets for data analysis, and the selection of probabilistic outcomes.
Additionally, AI’s automation of weapon systems may conflict with the laws of war. A significant concern lies in the fact that a system based on automated targeting of humans can potentially cause uninformed decisions, leading to unjust use of force due to lack of complete information.
The Swarm Drones: An Innovation in Military Tech
Swarm Drones are a group of small, lightweight aerial vehicles that can be operated from one station. Enabled by advanced communication technologies, these drones can form various flight formations for surveillance and attack modes. These drones are further backed with artificial intelligence software, adding autonomy to their operations, enabling them to identify targets quickly, which could be crucial during surprise operations.
Key Advantages of Swarm Drones
These high-altitude, weather-resistant drone systems can reach speeds of 100km per hour, giving them significant speed and agility advantages in military operations. They can be deployed for different types of offensive and defensive operations, including strikes against various targets. Furthermore, they come equipped with automatic target recognition (ATR) features powered by AI, reducing the chances of misfires significantly.
Establishing Guidelines for Responsible Use of AI in Warfare
It is essential to ensure compliance with International Humanitarian Law (IHL) principles in the usage of armed drones during hostilities. Before deploying any armed drones, it must be ensured that they can and will target only military objectives without causing excessive civilian harm. To enhance transparency and accountability, parties need to clearly outline their policies regarding drone usage, including methods for assessing potential civilian harm and providing remedies for victims.
AI in warfare requires more than tactical effectiveness; it also demands adherence to ethical considerations in warfighting. The deployment of AI-powered unmanned devices on maritime battlegrounds presents a new degree of risk, underscoring the importance of asset deployment in line with national and international laws.
