Research Article

UAV Autonomy in Turkey and Around the World: The “Terminator” Debate

Volume: 26 Number: 2 January 8, 2022
  • Ufuk Sözübir

UAV Autonomy in Turkey and Around the World: The “Terminator” Debate

Abstract

Autonomous systems, particularly unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), present both opportunities and challenges for modern warfare. Although they lack the moral compass and flexibility of the human mind, they nonetheless provide great advantages in terms of range, precision, coordination and speed in land, naval and air warfare. The advantages of their relative autonomy removes certain limitations, particularly in the sphere of UAVs, both in Turkey elsewhere, while the same autonomy gives rise to the “Terminator” debate with regard to lethal autonomous weapon systems (LAWS)—often called “killer robots”—theoretically capable of targeting and firing without human supervision or interference. The purpose of this article is to help elucidate the challenges posed by the autonomy of the UAVs, and to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of UAV systems, particularly the debates, reservations and criticisms about handing over authority to unmanned systems, especially given that Turkey has been eagerly and successfully working to develop this technology. As the technology continues to evolve, becoming more efficient and expanding into new areas of application, the challenges in determining the level of autonomy that LAWS should have are likely to increase. Although it is not easy to articulate the balance between the human and the machine in the division of authority, the best solution might be an efficient collaboration between the human mind and artificial intelligence (AI). Also, the law of armed conflict (LOAC) should be developed sufficiently and flexibly to regulate this kind of weaponry, particularly since, unlike nuclear arsenals that are kept under the strict control of states, it is easier to access and develop autonomous weapon systems (AWS). Therefore, permanent measures are needed in order to ensure that development in this field is consistent and ethical with respect to international humanitarian law.

Keywords

References

  1. References are indicated in the article.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Political Science

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Ufuk Sözübir This is me
Türkiye

Publication Date

January 8, 2022

Submission Date

May 17, 2021

Acceptance Date

October 3, 2021

Published in Issue

Year 2021 Volume: 26 Number: 2

APA
Sözübir, U. (2022). UAV Autonomy in Turkey and Around the World: The “Terminator” Debate. PERCEPTIONS: Journal of International Affairs, 26(2), 299-320. https://izlik.org/JA65PB75XJ
AMA
1.Sözübir U. UAV Autonomy in Turkey and Around the World: The “Terminator” Debate. PERCEPTIONS. 2022;26(2):299-320. https://izlik.org/JA65PB75XJ
Chicago
Sözübir, Ufuk. 2022. “UAV Autonomy in Turkey and Around the World: The ‘Terminator’ Debate”. PERCEPTIONS: Journal of International Affairs 26 (2): 299-320. https://izlik.org/JA65PB75XJ.
EndNote
Sözübir U (January 1, 2022) UAV Autonomy in Turkey and Around the World: The “Terminator” Debate. PERCEPTIONS: Journal of International Affairs 26 2 299–320.
IEEE
[1]U. Sözübir, “UAV Autonomy in Turkey and Around the World: The ‘Terminator’ Debate”, PERCEPTIONS, vol. 26, no. 2, pp. 299–320, Jan. 2022, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA65PB75XJ
ISNAD
Sözübir, Ufuk. “UAV Autonomy in Turkey and Around the World: The ‘Terminator’ Debate”. PERCEPTIONS: Journal of International Affairs 26/2 (January 1, 2022): 299-320. https://izlik.org/JA65PB75XJ.
JAMA
1.Sözübir U. UAV Autonomy in Turkey and Around the World: The “Terminator” Debate. PERCEPTIONS. 2022;26:299–320.
MLA
Sözübir, Ufuk. “UAV Autonomy in Turkey and Around the World: The ‘Terminator’ Debate”. PERCEPTIONS: Journal of International Affairs, vol. 26, no. 2, Jan. 2022, pp. 299-20, https://izlik.org/JA65PB75XJ.
Vancouver
1.Ufuk Sözübir. UAV Autonomy in Turkey and Around the World: The “Terminator” Debate. PERCEPTIONS [Internet]. 2022 Jan. 1;26(2):299-320. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA65PB75XJ