European Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius has laid out the European Commission’s position on lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS), emphasising the need for meaningful human control and compliance with international humanitarian law. In a formal reply to a parliamentary question, Kubilius confirmed that no EU funding will support autonomous systems that operate without human command chains, reinforcing the bloc's cautious approach to AI-driven warfare.
The response, published on April 8, 2026, answers a question tabled by MEP Dario Tamburrano and 13 co-signatories from The Left, Verts/ALE, S&D, and Non-Inscrits groups. Kubilius detailed the EU’s engagement at the United Nations through the Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) under the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW). While no new legally binding commitments were announced, the EU’s position—unanimously agreed by Member States—explicitly prohibits funding for lethal autonomous systems that lack meaningful human control. Two major EU defence funding programmes, the European Defence Fund and the European Peace Facility, already exclude support for such systems if they breach international humanitarian law standards.
This stance builds on the EU’s broader push for arms control and ethical safeguards in emerging technologies. On April 6, 2026, the European External Action Service (EEAS) called for strengthened non-proliferation and disarmament at the UN Disarmament Commission, advocating for new frameworks for AI in military applications. That statement, delivered in New York, highlighted the EU’s commitment to transparency and international verification, echoing the principles Kubilius now applies to LAWS. The EEAS also reaffirmed on April 4 its €460 million mine action commitment, positioning the EU as the world’s leading humanitarian donor in demining—a parallel effort to mitigate the human cost of conflict.
The Commission’s approach reflects a deliberate trade-off between ethical caution and technological adoption. While Member States retain primary competence over national security, the EU is strengthening regulatory oversight on defence innovations. This creates moderate constraints for EU defence manufacturers, who face funding bans on certain autonomous capabilities, but provides clarity for military planners adapting to rules limiting autonomous functionalities. Civil society groups, which have long campaigned for a ban on killer robots, may welcome the reinforced human-control requirement.
Kubilius’ reply also aligns with earlier EU commitments to protect civilians in conflict. On February 12, Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib called for stronger international cooperation to end the recruitment of child soldiers, emphasising sustainable reintegration and legal frameworks. That statement, issued with African Union and UN officials, underscored the EU’s focus on humanitarian protection—a theme consistent with the cautious LAWS policy.
The GGE on LAWS is expected to recommend measures by the November 2026 CCW Review Conference. Kubilius’ answer serves as an official declaration of EU intent, signalling ongoing coordination between EU institutions and Member States. It sets the stage for upcoming policy debates on lethal autonomous systems within both EU and international contexts, as the bloc seeks to balance technological progress with ethical red lines.