However, at the bottom of the issue lies the fact that a legal review of new weapons, means and methods of warfare is crucial. Sweden set up a Delegation for International law monitoring of Weapons projects already a long time ago. This delegation acts as an independent authority and is not part of the government. If the weapon projects assessed by the Delegation do not meet requirements within international law, the Delegation shall encourage or urge the authority that submitted the matter for examination to take appropriate measures. The Delegation reviews all weapons used by Swedish authorities. In this way we ensure that we fulfil the requirements in IHL – in particular art. 36 of the Additional Protocol I – on implementing legal weapons reviews. Any possible autonomous weapons systems, as well as any other new weapon, or means or method of warfare, would be scrutinized in accordance with these procedures and this legal framework.
General Statement by Sweden (Informal Meeting of Experts, 10 April 2016)
