INDIA’S DEFENCE STRATEGY ON LETHAL AUTONOMOUS WEAPONS SYSTEMS (LAWS)

GS3 INTERNAL SECURITY 

The Defence Ministry recently conducted a pilot study on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS) in collaboration with the Manohar Parrikar Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses. This study highlights the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in modern warfare while raising concerns about control, accountability, and ethics.

Importance of AI in Defence

• Enhances operational capabilities by enabling systems to function without human intervention.
• Essential for maintaining strategic autonomy in a technology-driven military landscape.

Current Challenges

• Early stages of AI adoption by defence manufacturers.
• Complexities in developing autonomous systems.
• International export restrictions on AI components hinder technological progress.

Global Landscape

• Over 50 countries including Germany, Japan, and South Korea are advancing their AI defence strategies.
• A competitive race for AI integration amid geopolitical shifts and resource competition.

Strategic Initiatives

• Formation of the AI Task Force (2018), Defence AI Council, and Defence AI Project Agency.
• Identification of 75 priority areas for AI integration in defence.
• Collaboration with the Innovations for Defence Excellence initiative to promote AI adoption.

Responsible AI Use

• India advocates for ethical AI deployment in military contexts.
• Participation in UN discussions on LAWS despite abstaining from a 2024 UNGA resolution.
• Focus on aligning military AI applications with international humanitarian law.

Trustworthy AI Framework

The Defence Ministry follows five core principles:

• Reliability
• Transparency
• Fairness
• Privacy
• Safety
  This framework ensures the responsible and ethical use of AI in defence operations.