Enosh Masih,
Binit Behl,
Manohar Pandey,
Anupam Kumar Singh,
Krishna Yadav,
- B.Tech Student, Department of Information Technology, Department of Computer Science Greater Noida Institute of Technology Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
- B.Tech Student, Department of Information Technology, Department of Computer Science Greater Noida Institute of Technology Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
- B.Tech Student, Department of Information Technology, Department of Computer Science Greater Noida Institute of Technology Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
- B.Tech Student, Department of Information Technology, Department of Computer Science Greater Noida Institute of Technology Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
- B.Tech Student, Department of Information Technology, Department of Computer Science Greater Noida Institute of Technology Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
Abstract
The rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed contemporary defence organizations, reshaping military structures, operational strategies, and the design and deployment of modern weapons. AI has significantly influenced the architecture, decision-making processes, and functionality of military systems, particularly in complex and rapidly evolving combat scenarios. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the growing use of autonomous military weapon systems, focusing on technological developments, regulatory challenges, governance gaps, and their broader global implications. Through a review of existing academic literature, it examines the integration of AI across diverse military domains, including autonomous aerial systems, robotic soldiers, unmanned naval platforms, and advanced AI-enabled defence technologies. Employing a mixed-method research approach, the study combines regional case studies with comparative national analysis to evaluate AI defence advancements in four major military powers: the United States, China, Russia, and Israel. The findings suggest that while AI offers substantial operational advantages, such as faster response times, enhanced force protection, improved surveillance, and greater targeting accuracy, its deployment also raises significant ethical, legal, and strategic concerns. These include challenges related to accountability for autonomous decisions, algorithmic bias, reduced human oversight, the escalation of conflicts through accelerated decision-making, and potential violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL). The study argues that existing governance mechanisms remain inadequate to address these emerging risks. It concludes by recommending the establishment of enforceable international regulatory frameworks, the preservation of meaningful human control over critical military decisions, and the development of defence-specific ethical AI governance standards to ensure the responsible and lawful use of autonomous weapon systems.
Keywords: AWS – (Autonomous Weapons Systems), LAWS – (Lethal Autonomous Weapons, Military Technology), IHL – (International Humanitarian Law), defence ethics, artificial intelligence, defence ethics, UAV – (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles)
[This article belongs to International Journal on Drones ]
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International Journal on Drones
| Volume | 02 | |
| Issue | 02 | |
| Received | 06/07/2026 | |
| Accepted | 17/07/2026 | |
| Published | 30/07/2026 | |
| Publication Time | 24 Days |