This article focuses on the application of autonomous weapons (AWs) in defensive systems and, consequently, assesses the conditions of the legality of employing such weapons from the perspective of the right to self-defence. How far may humans exert control over AWs? Are there any legal constraints in using AWs for the purpose of self-defence? How does their use fit into the traditional criteria of self-defence? The article claims that there are no legal grounds to exclude AWs in advance from being employed to exercise the right to self-defence. In general, the legality of their use depends on how they were pre-programmed by humans and whether they were activated under proper circumstances. The article is divided into three parts. The first discusses how human control over AWs affects the legality of their use. Secondly, the article analyses the criteria of necessity and proportionality during the exercise of the right to self-defence in the context of the employment of AWs. Finally, the use of AWs for anticipatory, pre-emptive or preventive self-defence is investigated.

中文翻译：

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自主武器和自卫权

本文重点关注自主武器（AW）在防御系统中的应用，并据此从自卫权的角度评估使用此类武器的合法性条件。人类可以在多大程度上控制 AW？出于自卫目的使用 AW 是否有任何法律限制？它们的使用如何符合传统的自卫标准？文章称，没有法律依据可以提前排除 AW 被雇用以行使自卫权。一般来说，它们使用的合法性取决于它们是如何被人类预编程的，以及它们是否在适当的情况下被激活。文章分为三个部分。第一个讨论人类对 AW 的控制如何影响其使用的合法性。第二，该文章分析了在使用 AW 的情况下行使自卫权的必要性和相称性标准。最后，研究了 AW 用于预期、先发制人或预防性自卫的用途。