[IND] This article considers the interrelationship between autonomous weapons systems and the rule of surrender. The introduction briefly outlines the aims, which are followed by an explanation of what autonomous weapons systems are and which problems exist regarding their definition, qualification and labelling. The third part of this paper includes a concise account of the rule of surrender – its legal basis, meaning and ethical motives. This necessary theoretical framework facilitates a discussion of the possible legal challenges which autonomous weapons systems pose to the rule of surrender. It also triggers a discussion of the mutual influence which AWSs and this particular rule of international humanitarian law exert over each other. Moreover, current and potential problems regarding these two matters (such as a lack of transparency in the development of autonomous weapons) are identified and elaborated.