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40 Sri Lanka Navy Journal Sri Lanka Navy Journal 41

Autonomous Surface Vehicles (ASVs) are making waves in the fight against
Table 1: Widespread projects of Autonomous Weapons in the world
piracy, offering extended surveillance, data collection and potential deterrence
capabilities. However, navigating the waters of this technology requires careful
consideration of both its potential and limitations.

Extended Surveillance, unlike human-operated vessels, ASVs can patrol
vast swathes of the ocean tirelessly, covering significantly more ground and pro-
viding crucial eyes on areas prone to pirate activity. This continuous presence
can act as a potent deterrent, discouraging pirates from attempting attacks in
the first place.

Data Collection, equipped with advanced sensors and data-gathering
tools, ASVs can collect valuable information about pirate movements, locations
and activities in real-time. This comprehensive data stream can be used to in-
form decision-making, improve situational awareness and track suspicious ves-
sels.

Certain ASVs can be equipped with non-lethal deterrents such as water
cannons or sonic blasts. These measures aim to disorient or disable pirate ves-
sels without causing harm, offering a potentially less provocative response com-
pared to traditional methods.
Source : Michael T. Klare, Dec 2023

Emerging Technologies and Systems

While fully autonomous weapons haven’t been deployed in anti-piracy
operations, several Autonomous and Remotely Controlled Systems (ARCS) show
promising potential for combating piracy. These systems offer potential benefits
for surveillance, data collection and even non-lethal deterrence. But carefully
considerations on ethical, legal and technical limitations are more important.
(Michael T. Klare, Dec 2023).

Figure 2: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
Source - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:USS_Nashville_LPD-13_with_Fire_Scout.jpg

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), often called drones, have taken flight in
the fight against piracy. These versatile birds of a feather offer a unique perspec-
tive, providing real-time intelligence and target identification from the skies.
However, like any technology, they come with their own set of limitations. Let’s
explore the ups and downs of UAVs in anti-piracy. (Sylvie Zhuang, Sept 25, 2023).

Figure 1: Autonomous Surface Vehicles (ASVs) Autonomous Surface Vehicles (ASVs) UAVs can soar high above vast stretches of ocean, offering a panoramic
Source - https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2022/10/meet-turkiyes-indigenous-unmanned.html
view that traditional ships simply can’t match. This wider field of vision allows
for comprehensive surveillance, spotting suspicious activity from afar and track-