News Concerns reports that last week's United Nations Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons failed to reach an agreement on the limitation of autonomous weapons.

In March 2020, a lethal autonomous weapon was deployed in Libya to hunt down and remotely engage retreating opponents of the UN recognised government.

It is unknown if it killed any of its targets.

Many countries support restrictions. Australia is not among them.

Occupying a huge chunk of land with a relatively small population and army, autonomous weapons could be a very appealing option to our government.

[Main Image: Kargu rotary wing attack drone used in Libya. Credit STM. ]

References

Ackerman, Diane (December 19, 2021). Autonomous Weapons Are Here, But The World Isn’t Ready For Them. News Concerns.

Hernandez, Joe (June 1, 2021). A Military Drone With A Mind Of Its Own Was Used In Combat, U.N. Says. NPR.