Transfer of Agency in Warfare: Autonomous Weapon Systems and the Means/Method Divide under IHL

Sammanfattning

This thesis examines the relationship between autonomous weapon systems and the legal framework governing the choice of means and methods of war-fare in armed conflict. It examines autonomous weapon systems within the context of international humanitarian law, with a particular focus on the con-duct of hostilities. The research highlights the distinction between means of warfare – referring to the weapons used – and methods of warfare, which concern the way in which these are employed. Through an analysis of the fundamental principles of international humanitari-an law, the thesis argues that autonomous weapon systems challenge tradi-tional interpretations of these concepts. It explores the potential for autono-mous systems to make independent decisions regarding the selection of both means and methods. By drawing parallels to drone warfare, the thesis illus-trates how autonomous weapon systems could redefine the targeting process, positioning themselves not just as means of warfare but also as the selector of the method employed.