Ukraine has reportedly deployed drones equipped with artificial intelligence that can identify and attack targets without human supervision, in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
This marks the first confirmed instance of autonomous weapons, or so-called “killer robots,” being used on the battlefield.
The drones, which are designed to target vehicles such as tanks rather than infantry, are almost certain to kill Russian soldiers without the direct command of a human operator. No casualties have been confirmed yet.
The Rise of AI Drones
Drones have long been part of modern warfare, their deployment observed in many armed conflicts, including Syria, Ukraine, and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
However, the advent of AI-enabled drones holds huge promise for Ukraine’s military but may also be exploited by nefarious non-state actors.
Ukrainian developers have confirmed that their drones are now carrying out autonomous strikes on Russian forces without a human operator. This is a significant upgrade from existing drones that track specific coordinates.
AI-powered drones can fly autonomously, navigate complex environments, and identify and track targets with high accuracy. They can also be equipped with a variety of sensors and weapons, making them ideal for a wide range of military missions.
The Saker Scout Drone
The drone in question is a quadcopter called Saker Scout, which can carry a three-kilogram load to a distance of about 12 kilometers.
The helicopters were put into use in Ukraine in September. Saker Scout’s AI software can identify 64 different “military targets”, including tanks, personnel carriers, and other equipment.
Small drones operated by remote control have proved extremely effective as bombers with modified RKG-3 anti-tank grenades or RPG warheads and can destroy even heavy tanks
Although small remote-controlled drones have already proven to be effective bombers during the war between Russia and Ukraine by dropping projectiles made from modified anti-tank grenades, the larger projectiles dropped by the Saker Scout will destroy even heavy tanks.
Saker is a Ukrainian company founded in 2021 that produces affordable AI services for small businesses. The company had focused especially on drone-based vision systems, for example for plant protection. According to the company’s spokesperson, after Russia attacked, the company started helping the armed forces.
This development has raised concerns about the use of autonomous weapons and their impact on warfare. The United Nations has been discussing this issue since 2013 and has called for a ban on such weapons. However, no international agreement has been reached yet.
Here are some of the key ways that AI-enabled drones are transforming warfare:
- Intelligence gathering and surveillance: AI-powered drones can be used to collect real-time intelligence on enemy forces and movements. They can also be used to monitor large areas for potential threats.
- Precision strikes: AI-enabled drones can carry out precision strikes against enemy targets with minimal collateral damage. This is due to their ability to accurately identify and track targets, even in complex environments.
- Swarming: AI-enabled drones can be deployed in swarms to overwhelm enemy defenses or carry out coordinated attacks. This makes them a particularly effective weapon against larger and more powerful adversaries.
Some examples of AI-enabled drones that are currently being used by militaries around the world include:
- Kargu-2: A Turkish-made kamikaze drone that uses AI to track and attack targets.
- Harpy: An Israeli-made loitering munition that uses AI to identify and attack enemy radar systems.
- Wingman: A US-made autonomous drone that can be used to escort and protect manned aircraft.
These are just a few examples, and there are many other AI-enabled drones in development. As AI technology continues to advance, we can expect to see even more sophisticated and capable AI-enabled drones being deployed in warfare.
Despite these concerns, the use of AI-enabled drones in warfare is likely to continue to grow in the coming years. Militaries are investing heavily in AI technology, and they see AI-enabled drones as a key component of their future warfighting capabilities.
It is important to have a public conversation about the ethical and legal implications of AI-enabled drones before they are widely deployed in warfare. We need to develop international norms and regulations that govern the use of these weapons to minimize the risks and ensure that they are used responsibly.
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