France analyses ethical implications of creating ‘super soldiers’
The Defence Ethics Committee of the French MoD has published a report on the ‘enhanced soldier'. This document analysed ethical issues around improving physical, perceptual, cognitive and psychological capabilities for French warfighters.
Although it seems to be a story from Hollywood with characters like Captain America and Winter Soldier, France has analysed the ethical implications of creating ‘super soldiers’ with improved physical, perceptual, cognitive and psychological characteristics.
The Defence Ethics Committee of the French MoD published a report on 8 December on the ‘enhanced soldier’ (‘soldat augmenté’ in French), setting out principles and recommendations to be applied in research in this area.
The document was released by the MoD during the Digital Defence Innovation Forum 2020, as the first report from the Defence Ethics Committee on this topic.
It analysed various ethical issues, such
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Land Warfare
-
![What weapons have Israel and Iran been using against each other?]()
What weapons have Israel and Iran been using against each other?
Tehran has been relying on UAVs and ballistic missiles while Jerusalem uses jets, deep fires and precision-guided munitions.
-
![Paris Air Show 2025: Fulgur air defence missile revealed in anticipation of potential market]()
Paris Air Show 2025: Fulgur air defence missile revealed in anticipation of potential market
The missile was first unveiled at SeaFuture 2023 and later at the Farnborough International Airshow in July 2024. Operational delivery is expected in 2028.
-
![Bids in for Canadian Bv206 replacement]()
Bids in for Canadian Bv206 replacement
If all goes to plan, initial delivery of the selected vehicle could take place in 2029/2030 with final delivery in 2031/2032. The Bv206 were supplied to Canada many years ago and are in urgent need of replacement. More than 11,000 Bv206 were built for worldwide sale.
-
![Paris Air Show 2025: MBDA bets on carmaker to help make new one-way effector]()
Paris Air Show 2025: MBDA bets on carmaker to help make new one-way effector
The One-Way Effector (OWE) is a ground-launched missile or drome designed to act as a swarm to overwhelm air defence systems. It was displayed for the first time in Paris this week.
-
![UK artillery factory opens as defence review inches forward]()
UK artillery factory opens as defence review inches forward
The new artillery and howitzer factory pre-dates the emphasis on this capability from this month’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR). The first joint industry-government meeting outlined in the review took place this week.
-
![Refresh of Romanian army vehicles speeds up]()
Refresh of Romanian army vehicles speeds up
Romania received its first Cobra MkII 4×4 light tactical armoured vehicles, ordered Abrams main battle tanks (MBTs) and VAMTAC light vehicles, and is set to invest billions-of-dollars in infantry fighting vehicles.
