Abstract
Rapid advances in military technology have reshaped warfare, placing autonomous weapon systems, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), at the forefront of contemporary military operations. The increasing autonomy of UAVs raises profound ethical and legal dilemmas about entrusting life-and-death decisions to machines. This article examines the use of UAVs in the Israeli military operations and the Russo-Ukrainian war, highlighting their impact on operational planning. It also analyses the EU’s political, regulatory, and institutional responses to the security and strategic implications posed by the extensive use of UAVs in contemporary conflicts.
© 2026 Eleni Kapsokoli, published by General Staff of the Slovenian Armed Forces
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