The Use of Explosive Devices on Commercial Drones in Warfare and International Law Violations
The use of explosive devices deployed by commercial drones in warfare is raising significant concerns regarding international legality and the ethics of conflict. This practice involves retrofitting drones, originally designed for civilian and commercial purposes, to carry and drop explosive payloads on military or civilian targets. This phenomenon is becoming increasingly common as drone technology proliferates and becomes more affordable, making them accessible to a wide range of actors, including sovereign states, rebel groups, and terrorists.
The use of armed drones in this manner raises legal issues under international humanitarian law, which includes the laws of war and international conventions such as the Geneva and Hague Conventions. These laws establish fundamental principles that must be observed during conflict, such as the distinction between combatants and non-combatants, the prohibition of indiscriminate attacks, and proportionality in the use of force.
A major problem arising from the use of armed commercial drones is the difficulty in ensuring the distinction between civilians and combatants. Commercial drones are often less sophisticated than their military counterparts and may lack advanced targeting and recognition systems. This increases the risk of collateral damage and indiscriminate attacks that could violate international conventions.
Moreover, accountability for attacks carried out with armed commercial drones can be easily obscured. Unlike traditional weaponry, drones can be operated remotely, making it difficult to trace the origin of the attack and establish who is responsible for violations of international humanitarian law. This ambiguity in the chain of command and control can lead to impunity for the perpetrators of war crimes.
The proliferation of armed commercial drones also poses a challenge to arms export control regimes. While conventional weapons are subject to tight international controls, commercial drones can be acquired more easily and modified covertly, circumventing existing restrictions.
In conclusion, the use of commercial drones for military purposes raises ethical issues, particularly regarding the emotional distance between the operator and the target and the consequent dehumanization of the victims. This can make it easier to make decisions leading to violence and the excessive use of force.
