Ukraine takes the lead in military drone technology – but at what cost?

In recent months, Ukraine has made considerable progress in the development of military drones, including the creation of semi-autonomous drones and counter-drone weapons with artificial intelligence. This technology has the potential to revolutionize military hardware, similar to the impact of gunpowder. While Russia and Iran have also claimed to have this technology, it has not been verified.

However, there are concerns about the reliability of these robots and the possibility of collateral damage. A recent survey conducted by Human Rights Watch found that 61% of people in 26 countries oppose the use of autonomous weapons systems that can kill. This opposition has made it harder to set international rules for how military drones can be used.

The term "autonomous weapon" is not yet recognized by the United States military, nor has the Pentagon given its approval for its use. The United States Air Force is investigating ways that pilots and unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) can cooperate more effectively. Drones that are capable of attacking in groups are being developed by several different nations as well as various branches of the US military.

While some countries have hesitated to use autonomous weapons systems, others, including China, Israel, South Korea, and Russia, have actively pursued their development and integration into their armed forces.

We still don't know if this technology will be widely accepted and regulated, but we do know that it will continue to spark debate and controversy in the years to come.