As the war in Ukraine rages on, the Dutch state seems to be laying the legal foundations for the armament of its military drones. The possibility was introduced through a resolution in the Dutch House of Representatives earlier this month. A majority is expected to vote in favor.

But if this resolution is to pass, then where will these armed drones be deployed? How will the Dutch armed forces avoid undermining international law while using them? And how will the military minimize civilian harm during drone missions, and avoid making more enemies than it neutralizes?

In their latest op-ed in Het Parool, IRW’s Lauren Gould and Jip van Dort point out that these types of questions are completely absent in the current political process, and why this is problematic.

Read their full piece here.

Image source: Ministerie van Defensie