ISS Global / Insight Report
AI in Military Autonomy
Autonomous defence and attack: reported use, demonstrated capability and the human decision
- Issued
- Location
- Ukraine, United States and United Kingdom; Australian participation through AUKUS
- Review period
- Selected evidence, 2023–27 October 2026
- Language
- English
- Document
- 15 pages · PDF · 1.2 MB
An insight into military AI and autonomy across Ukrainian combat reporting, US flight testing and UK/AUKUS experimentation. It examines which functions are delegated to machines, which decisions remain human and how reported deployment, controlled trials and future plans differ as evidence.
Original report cover · Open PDF ↗Scope & reporting context
Issued 28 October 2026, with evidence reviewed through 27 October 2026, 23:59:59 Europe/London. Includes six selected cases, an analytical framework, authentic trial photographs, implications for investigation and an evidence and source audit. Historical examples are dated individually. Institutional performance claims are attributed rather than independently validated; AI navigation, guidance and sensing are distinguished from autonomous target selection and authority to use force.
The complete PDF contains the report’s source register, assessments and limitations. Read those alongside any individual finding.