This publication presents multi-domain catalogues of scenarios that depict realistic operational contexts in which lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS) could be used for targeting purposes.

It offers a comprehensive, neutral and technical resource for States, organized around realistic illustrations of how international humanitarian law (IHL) principles and obligations may be considered in practice.The scenarios examine situations of both international and non-international armed conflict across three domains of warfare: air, land and naval. Each scenario is accompanied by guiding questions on IHL compliance relevant to the (potential) use of LAWS in that context.

The compendium is organized into three volumes:

  • Volume I | Introduction and user guide: This volume features a background to the discussions on LAWS and IHL, including the status of the multilateral discussions, as well as information on the compendium, its objectives, structure and how to use the scenarios. 
  • Volume II | International armed conflict: This volume includes scenario catalogues grouped by domain (land, naval, air).
  • Volume III | Non-international armed conflict: This volume includes scenario catalogues grouped by domain (land, naval, air).

The compendium provides a framework for considering operational and legal questions related to the use of LAWS, and can be leveraged for two main purposes:

  • At the national level, the compendium may support efforts to carry structured legal analysis, which can contribute to the development and refinement of IHL interpretation, as well as the stress-testing of existing, or the development of, new policies, tactics, rules of engagements, etc.
  • At the international level, the compendium can be leveraged for capacity building and confidence building. First, the scenarios provide ready-made constructs to explore legal and operational questions, especially useful for States with limited modelling capabilities. Second, in international discussions, the compendium can serve as a common analytical reference to compare and discuss interpretations of IHL and identify areas of convergence and divergence.
 

Citation: Giacomo Persi Paoli, Ioana Puscas and Yasmin Afina, Scenario Compendium for the Legal, Operational and Technical Analysis of Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems (Geneva: UNIDIR, 2026).