> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://goodoil.news/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # New Zealand Doesn’t Like Australia’s ‘Killer Robots’ - URL: https://goodoil.news/new-zealand-doesnt-like-australias-killer-robots/ - Published: 2022-08-23T00:30:00.000Z - Updated: 2022-08-22T04:39:43.000Z - Author: Guest Post - Tags: NZ, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2024-07-16 22:48 **Sian Troath** [University of Canterbury](https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-canterbury-1004?ref=goodoil.news) *Sian Troath is a researcher in international relations, with a focus on Australian defence and foreign policies, and the nature of trust in relationships between countries. Currently she is working on a Marsden funded project mapping the debate on lethal autonomous weapons, with a particular focus on Australia as a case study. She has also written on Australia-Indonesia relations.* --- Australia’s recently [announced](https://www.defence.gov.au/about/reviews-inquiries/defence-strategic-review?ref=goodoil.news) defence review, intended to be the most thorough in almost four decades, will give us a good idea of how Australia sees its role in an increasingly tense strategic environment. As New Zealand’s only formal military ally, Australia’s defence choices will have significant implications, both for New Zealand and regional geopolitics. There are several areas of contention in the trans-Tasman relationship. One is Australia’s pursuit of nuclear-powered submarines, which clashes with New Zealand’s anti-nuclear stance. Another lies in the two countries’ diverging approaches to autonomous weapons systems (AWS), colloquially known as “killer robots”. ![Boeing Australia's autonomous 'loyal wingman' aircraft](https://images.theconversation.com/files/479242/original/file-20220816-20306-j1c4ti.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip) Boeing Australia is developing autonomous ‘loyal wingman’ aircraft to complement manned aircraft. [Boeing](https://www.flightglobal.com/defence/boeing-australia-pushes-loyal-wingman-maiden-flight-to-2021/141691.article?ref=goodoil.news), Author provided In general, AWS are [considered](https://www.beehive.govt.nz/sites/default/files/2021-11/Autonomous-Weapons-Systems-Cabinet-paper.pdf?ref=goodoil.news) to be “weapons systems that, once activated, can select and engage targets without further human intervention”. There is, however, no internationally agreed definition. New Zealand is involved with international attempts to ban and regulate AWS. It seeks a ban on systems that “are not sufficiently predictable or controllable to meet legal or ethical requirements” and advocates for “rules or limits to govern the development and use of AWS”. If this seems vague to you, it should. This ambiguity in definition makes it difficult to determine which systems New Zealand seeks to ban or regulate. #### Australia’s prioritisation of AWS Australia, meanwhile, has been developing what it more commonly refers to as robotics and autonomous systems (RAS) with [gusto](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10357718.2022.2095615?ref=goodoil.news). Since 2016, Australia has identified RAS as a priority area of development and substantially increased [funding](https://www.dst.defence.gov.au/nextgentechfund?ref=goodoil.news). The Australian [navy](https://www.navy.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/RAN%5FWIN%5FRASAI%5FStrategy%5F2040f2%5Fhi.pdf?ref=goodoil.news), [army](https://researchcentre.army.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-03/robototic%5Fautonomous%5Fsystems%5Fstrategy.pdf?ref=goodoil.news) and defence force ([ADF](https://tasdcrc.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/ADF-Concept-Robotics.pdf?ref=goodoil.news)) have each released concept documents since 2018, discussing RAS and their associated benefits, risks, challenges and opportunities. Key systems Australia is pursuing include the autonomous aircraft [Ghost Bat](https://news.defence.gov.au/service/introducing-ghost-bat?ref=goodoil.news), three different kinds of [extra-large underwater autonomous vehicles](https://www.australiandefence.com.au/defence/sea/navy-s-uncrewed-undersea-plans?ref=goodoil.news) and [autonomous trucks](https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/minister/melissa-price/media-releases/autonomous-truck-project-passes-major-milestone?ref=goodoil.news). #### Why is Australia seeking to develop these technologies? The short answer is three-fold: seeking military advantage, saving lives and economics. Australia and its allies and partners, particularly the US, are [fearful](https://www.ussc.edu.au/analysis/us-china-technology-competition-and-what-it-means-for-australia?ref=goodoil.news) of losing the technological superiority they have long held over rivals such as China. Large military capabilities, like nuclear-powered submarines, take both time and money to acquire. Australia is further limited in what it can do by the size of its defence force. RAS are seen as a way to potentially maintain advantage, and to do more with less. RAS are also seen as a way to save lives. A [survey](https://media.defense.gov/2020/Nov/23/2002540369/-1/-1/1/WYATT.PDF?ref=goodoil.news) of Australian military personnel found they considered reduction of harm and injury to defence personnel, allied personnel and civilians among the most important potential benefits of RAS. The Australian Defence Force also [believes](https://tasdcrc.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/ADF-Concept-Robotics.pdf?ref=goodoil.news) RAS will be cheaper than large platforms. Inflation means money already committed to defence has less purchasing power. RAS present an opportunity to achieve the same outcomes at a lower cost. Meanwhile, in 2018, the Australian government outlined its intention to become a top-ten [defence exporter](https://www.ft.com/content/d743d758-04b2-11e8-9650-9c0ad2d7c5b5?ref=goodoil.news). There are keen [hopes](https://breakingdefense.com/2022/03/aussies-aim-for-1b-in-exports-of-loyal-wingman-now-ghost-bat/?ref=goodoil.news) the Ghost Bat will become a successful defence export. At the same time, the government is keen to [build](https://apo.org.au/sites/default/files/resource-files/2016-02/apo-nid93621.pdf?ref=goodoil.news) closer ties between defence, industry and academia. Industry and academia both vie for defence funding, and this drives development of RAS. Of course, the technology is new. It’s not guaranteed RAS will save lives, save money or achieve military advantage. The extent to which RAS will be used, and what they will be used for, is not foreseeable. It is in this uncertainty that New Zealand must make judgments about AWS and alliance management. #### What this means for the trans-Tasman relationship The nuclear-powered submarines captured attention when Australia’s new AUKUS partnership with the US and UK was announced, but its primary purpose is a much broader partnership that shares defence technology, including RAS. The most recent statement from the AUKUS working groups [says](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/readout-of-aukus-joint-steering-group-meetings--2?ref=goodoil.news) they “will seek opportunities to engage allies and close partners”. Last week, US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman made it clear New Zealand was one such [partner](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/472583/us-would-have-conversations-with-new-zealand-if-time-comes-for-others-to-join-aukus-top-diplomat?ref=goodoil.news). Australia’s focus on RAS, particularly in the context of AUKUS, may soon bring alliance questions to the fore. Strategic studies expert Robert Ayson has argued AUKUS, combined with increased strategic tension, [means](https://pacforum.org/publication/pacnet-48-new-zealand-and-aukus-affected-without-being-included?ref=goodoil.news) that “year by year New Zealand’s alliance commitment to the defence of Australia will carry bigger implications”. AWS will play a role in these implications. AWS may seem an insignificant trans-Tasman difference compared to the use of nuclear technologies. But AWS come with a lot more uncertainty and fuzziness than, say, [banning](https://www.smh.com.au/world/oceania/not-in-our-waters-ardern-says-no-to-visits-from-australia-s-new-nuclear-subs-20210916-p58s7k.html?ref=goodoil.news) nuclear-powered submarines in New Zealand waters. This fuzziness creates ample room for misperceptions and poor communication. Trust in alliance relationships is easily damaged, and difficult to manage. Clear communication and ensuring a good understanding of each other’s positions is essential. The ambiguity of AWS makes these things difficult. New Zealand and Australia may need to clarify their respective positions before Australia’s defence review is released next March. Otherwise, they run the risk of fuelling misunderstandings at a delicate moment for trans-Tasman relations. [Sian Troath](https://theconversation.com/profiles/sian-troath-1260680?ref=goodoil.news), Postdoctoral fellow, *[University of Canterbury](https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-canterbury-1004?ref=goodoil.news)* *This article is republished from [The Conversation](https://theconversation.com/?ref=goodoil.news) under a Creative Commons license. Read the [original article](https://theconversation.com/australias-pursuit-of-killer-robots-could-put-the-trans-tasman-alliance-with-new-zealand-on-shaky-ground-188520?ref=goodoil.news).* [If you enjoyed this article please share it using the share buttons at the top or bottom of the article.](#) [If you would like to access exclusive Member content or just remove the ads to make your reading experience more enjoyable click here to browse our Membership options.](https://thebfd.co.nz/subscription-plans/?ref=2)