Superpowers locked in top secret killer robot arms race, Russian defence experts warn

The world's three superpowers are locked in an "invisible" battle to develop killer robots and the consequences could be devastating for humanity.

That's the terrifying warning from experts at a Russian military research body called the Pir Center, which specialises in studying international security and weapons of mass destruction.

The Sun Online has been given exclusive access to a piece of research focusing on the "start of undeclared competition" to build autonomous weapons systems which can kill without needing to be controlled by a human.

In the study, Vadim Kozyulin, senior research fellow and former officer of the Soviet Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said America was leading the way in the killer robot arms race.

However, US dominance in this game-changing field of military technology has prompted a dangerous escalation from Russia and China.

"The human race has accumulated considerable amount of technologies that can dramatically transform warfare already during the next decade," he wrote.

"These include military robots, and the first signs that a robotic arms race is starting, with the United States, China and Russia joining it, can be clearly seen already today.

"It is invisible, as it is taking place at laboratories, with achievements demonstrated only during festive shows of illuminated drones."

America currently spends about $70 billion on military research and development, more than both its main competitors on the world stage put together.

Up until now, the US has relied on two "strategies of deterrence": nuclear weapons and precision guided munitions backed by a missile defence shield.

But Kozyulin said Washington was beginning to view these tried and tested systems as "obsolete".

"The Pentagon is already considering a significant reduction in military forces by putting military robots into service," he continued.

"The U.S. Department of Defense arranged a close cooperation with the developers from the Silicon Valley, establishing the so-called 'military-information complex'."

All three superpowers are developing killing machines which use land, sea and sky to strike enemies.

One emerging area where the US and UK are leading the way is in the development of drones or other weapons which can be 3D printed using machines installed in bases or ships.

Kozyulin urged the world to be aware of the risk of "new military technologies leading to an arms race", a development which could "disturb the existing balance of power, destabilise international security and increase the conflict potential in the world".

He wrote: "So far, the US “military-information complex” is not afraid of any competition: the scientific, technological and financial leadership of the United States seems to be incontestable.

"The Chinese People's Liberation Army, successfully following the ancient Chinese principle 'anyone who can copy master’s work, is a master himself', is snapping at the heels of the Pentagon.

"In September 2015, the Russian Ministry of Defence adopted the complex target program 'Robotisation 2025', with the 'development of unmanned machines in the form of military robotic systems and complexes for application in different environments' declared as its priority.

"Although its contents are confidential, September 2015 may be regarded as the beginning of Russian participation in the undeclared competition."