The Difficulty Of Applying The Principle Of Proportionality In Precision Weapons

Abstract

The rapid development of new military technology poses significant challenges, as precision weapons are designed to revolutionize the way war is waged. Although there are currently no fully autonomous weapons systems, they perform some functions independently. The researcher reached the following conclusions:

1. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) proposed that precision weapons are an umbrella term that would encompass any type of weapon, whether operating automatically in the air, on land, or at se
2. There is relatively little publicly available information to assess the degree of autonomy these weapons possess in selecting their targets.
3. Scholars believe that such weapons may not comply with the rules of international humanitarian law, as the principle of distinction between combatants and non-combatants may not be present in these weapons.
4. Creating systems that can apply the principle of proportionality even in densely populated areas appears to be difficult to achieve due to the large number of variables that precision weapons must account for simultaneously. This requires a uniquely human mind.
5. The principle of proportionality is one of the principles that are difficult to achieve through the use of precision weapons, except by linking them to the human element via the internet. However, with the advancement of technology, it is possible to dispense with the human element, especially in areas where there are no civilians, thus fulfilling the requirements of the principle of proportionality.
6. It is not yet clear whether precision weapons can comply with the principles of distinction, proportionality, military necessity, and humanity, and the opposite has not been proven. However, even if autonomous weapons are capable of complying with these principles, they must still adhere to the specific and applicable laws that define the rules and procedures of war and the restrictions imposed on them.