Nia Griffith – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nia Griffith on 2014-05-01.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how levels of human control are defined in use of the ballistic sensor-fused munition and other similar systems which can operate in automatic mode.

Mr Philip Dunne

For existing automated systems, human control requires an authorised operator to set the pre-programmed parameters for the weapon system’s operation. Authority to activate such systems is given only in full accordance with the targeting directive for a specific theatre of operations, targeting policy and rules of engagement which ensure adherence to international humanitarian law.

The decision to deploy a particular weapon system in any given theatre of operations depends upon the context of that operation. It would be unreasonable to deny our Armed Forces the option of using the most appropriate weapons (including systems that can be operated in automatic mode) to engage legitimate military targets.