The evolving seascape of naval warfare: unmanned underwater vehicles and the challenges for international law.

This article examines the complex legal challenges posed by unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) under international maritime law, focusing on their legal status, navigational rights, and sovereign immunity. It analyzes whether UUVs can be classified as warships under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which requires warships to bear external marks, be under command of commissioned officers, and have a crew—criteria complicated by UUVs’ autonomy and lack of onboard personnel. The article also explores issues related to port access, search and rescue obligations, and compliance with international humanitarian law, including the Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC), highlighting concerns about accountability and ethical use of autonomous weapon systems. It concludes by emphasizing the need for international cooperation to recognize UUVs as a distinct vessel category and to develop clear legal frameworks and guidelines addressing their deployment, rights, and responsibilities.