The double use predicament

 In order to stay ahead of their adversaries, defense and security forces around the world now incorporate civilian technology due to the growing geopolitical and technological competition.

The dual-use dilemma by Maheen Shafeeq on April 9, 2023. In order to stay ahead of their rivals in geopolitical and technological battles, defense and security forces around the world now incorporate civilian technology.

This has brought about the pattern of double use innovation, which offers time-regarding modernization and conservative answers for complex security and protection prerequisites.

Technologies with dual uses can be put to use in both the military and civilian sectors. A general classification of such things incorporates however isn't restricted to drones, space, atomic, programming, lasers, sensors, route, flight, drive, media communications, etc.

Technology and innovation for defense and security were previously restricted to military-industrial complexes, which were in charge of leading, designing, and developing military-use technology. For instance, the US defense department provided funding for the creation of the internet and the global positioning system (GPS), which were primarily intended for the military. Notwithstanding, in the current times, the non military personnel innovation areas are controlling worldwide mechanical turn of events and patterns.

States with strong economies and private venture capitalists put a lot of money into technology research and development (R&D), which boosts the civilian technology industries quickly. For instance, drones are a suitable alternative to jets. They are a viable option due to their small size, variety of options, user-friendly design, and availability off the shelf. The most recent instances of civilian drone use in the Russia-Ukraine conflict demonstrate its increasing significance. Commercially available drone models have been extensively utilized by both sides in the war. Both parties could benefit financially from these choices.

The DJI Mavic 3 that the Ukrainian military uses costs approximately GBP 1,500. The Ukrainian army received over 1,100 drones for various defense forces units in February 2022. These robots have infrared detecting and visual reconnaissance and are lightweight. They can carry small bombs and ammunition and have proven useful in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. Consequently, the commercial drone army's cost-effectiveness and effectiveness significantly increased battlefield experience.

Similarly, both civilian and military applications of space technology are on the rise. Both the global economy and military operations rely on satellites for communication and navigation. Instead of investing in explicitly military space programs, many states are investing in civilian space programs. The military and civilian sectors both benefit from such quests.

The recent use of weather balloons for surveillance by China demonstrates that it is difficult to differentiate between military and civilian space use. The US Met Office is skeptical of Beijing's claim that it is conducting weather research, despite China's assertion to the contrary. This demonstrates that civilian and military technology can be combined and used in peacetime.

Essentially, the double use idea isn't restricted to involving non military personnel innovation for security and guard purposes. In the case of conventional or nuclear-equipped missiles, it is also evident. A missile can carry either nuclear or conventional warheads at the same time. When a state uses a missile, it is hard to tell what it wants because of this. It also makes it harder for air defense teams to decide what to do next.

For instance, India's "accidental" firing of the BrahMos caused tension due to the missile's dual capabilities. The Kinzhal missile, a high-end, dual-capable missile, was also used by Russia in the Russia-Ukraine war. Making decisions becomes more difficult when dual-capable missiles are used, which may result in unintended escalations.

Dual-use technology is beneficial for defense and security, but it hurts civilian industry. It makes civilian technology more suspicious, possibly resulting in sensitive and high-risk issues. For instance, the government's use of social media platforms for surveillance damages user trust. There are a number of civilian R&D firms concerned about their technology being used by the military.

The US defense department wanted to use Google's deep learning and artificial intelligence to track vehicles and people, and Project Maven by Google is a prime example of this. A petition against Google's involvement in the war business was signed by thousands of employees, including senior management.

Dual-use technology must be addressed because it intensifies the arms race and geopolitical competition. There is a lack of an arms control regime that restricts the use of civilian technology for military purposes, despite dual-use and arms trade control policies for military technologies that could be used for civilian purposes. The arms control system that controls the use and export of dual-use technology needs to be updated.

Although such regulations are desirable, the task is difficult due to the muddled distinction between such technology. The military benefits from the dual-use nature, which is necessary right now; Consequently, this trend is likely to expand.

To address the shortcomings of military technology, dual-use technology creates a defense ecosystem. However, it is possible to guarantee that emerging technologies adhere to legal and ethical standards and have mechanisms for accountability and responsibility.

It is necessary to confirm who would be held accountable: the manufacturer or the head of the military. In a similar vein, the use of dual-capable conventional and nuclear missiles must be the primary focus of a missile-related arms control regime. The dual-use doctrine has a lot of value, but it also makes accidents, misuse, and liability more likely.