Armed UAVs are rapidly spreading to more states, and future systems are more likely to be survivable. In particular, the use of UAVs could contribute to conflict escalation, particularly in already complex and unstable strategic environments, and in ways that do not yet seem to be considered. The paper Armed UAVs in conflict escalation and inter-state crises presents these challenges and suggests what it would be desirable for States to develop understandings to form the basis for appropriate standards and best practices to reduce risks.
Citation: George Woodhams and John Borrie (2018) "Armed UAVs in Conflict Escalation and Inter-state Crises", UNIDIR, Geneva, Switzerland.