UNIDIR has launched a scenario compendium presenting potential uses of lethal autonomous weapon systems (LAWS) in realistic operational contexts. The compendium examines challenges of compliance with international humanitarian law (IHL) in concrete situations of armed conflict. It aims to be a reference tool for the international community as States continue national deliberations and advance international policy frameworks on autonomous weapons.
For more than a decade, the international community has discussed the IHL implications of LAWS. States agreed on 11 Guiding Principles, advanced their understandings of key concepts, and charted a direction of travel toward what became informally known as the two-tier approach. This consists of a combination of prohibitions and regulations of LAWS, grounded in the fundamental rules and principles of IHL.
Discussions at the multilateral level, however, retain a high degree of abstraction. States have reiterated, for example, on multiple occasions that IHL continues to apply fully to the development and use of LAWS. States have also broadly expressed agreement over the fact that the ‘operational context’ is central to any determination of the quality and extent of the human-machine interaction, and to considerations of human judgment and control.
Why a scenario compendium on LAWS and IHL?
Any use of LAWS in armed conflict – like with any other weapon system – would be embedded in an operational context shaped by specific variables, unique time-bound circumstances, and existing doctrinal guidance. Against the universality of IHL principles, their practical application often depends on context.
Nevertheless, thus far, less effort has been made to understand how IHL applies and what concrete measures might need to be developed to enhance compliance when LAWS are deployed.
With this compendium, UNIDIR provides a tool – the first of its kind – for States to engage in in-depth conversations about compliance with IHL in defined tactical and operational environments.
What the compendium provides
The compendium includes a catalogue of 43 scenarios spanning the land, naval and air domains, covering both international and non-international armed conflict. Each scenario is accompanied by a detailed list of IHL questions to support granular legal analysis. These are scenario-specific but also include a number of cross-cutting questions that integrate more general considerations about the technical characteristics of LAWS.
Critically, the compendium does not provide answers, it merely steers users to consider an array of pertinent legal questions to enable structured legal and operational discussions.
The publication also provides ample guidance for interested stakeholders to be able to ‘play’ the scenarios in their respective national organizations or in international formats.
Supporting national and international engagement
At the national level, the compendium can support States in developing and refining their interpretations of how IHL applies to the possible use of LAWS.
The scenarios can help operationalize abstract concepts and consider them in practice.
States can opt for specialized deep dives, as well as cross-cutting national dialogues bringing together experts from across policy, military, legal and diplomatic communities.
At the international level, the compendium can serve as a confidence-building and a capacity-building tool. By providing shared tactical reference points, the scenarios enable States to compare how they interpret and apply IHL, how they structure safeguards and oversight, and identify areas of convergence and divergence without disclosure of sensitive information.
Looking ahead
Following the launch of the compendium, UNIDIR will undertake additional efforts to disseminate the compendium and facilitate its use.
Over the next months, the Institute will continue to promote and socialize the compendium among interested stakeholders. Activities will range from virtual briefings and training programmes to in-country workshops.
In addition, UNIDIR will further enhance the user experience by creating a digital version of the compendium, which will allow greater customization and more interactive options to play the scenarios. The digital tool will not replace the existing compendium, which remains permanently hosted on the UNIDIR website.
