Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles: Some Ethical Considerations for the Defence Applications of AI

Combat drones or Unmanned Combat Aerial Systems/Vehicles (UCAVs) refer to automated aerial vehicles, equipped with the capacity to carry and deploy lethal weapons such as missiles or bombs. They are characterised by their maximum take-off weight (less than 150 kgs, 150–600 kgs, and more than 600 kgs) or flight features (High Altitude Long Endurance, and Medium Altitude Long Endurance). Enabled by Artificial Intelligence (AI), the use of these drones has become increasingly popular in combat and counter-terrorist missions. The relationship between AI and a lethal system like the UCAV has given rise to several ethical concerns which range from utilitarian apprehensions to anxieties over automation. This commentary aims to identify the key ethical dilemmas that the use of such drones presents to policymakers and defence leaders, and outlines various policy developments that tackle these dilemmas.