Technology changes everything in terms of war

The immense progress made in all types of missiles in terms of range, power, and precision has been surpassed by the fundamental revolution brought about by AI and drones in armaments.

The era of drones emerged in conflicts between Azerbaijan (supported by Israel and Turkey) and Armenia in 2023, followed by the war in Ukraine where they completely changed the battlefield from 2023 onwards. The integration of AI is creating regions of coordinated machines that will operate relatively autonomously in the future, tracking, identifying, and neutralizing enemy forces if they do not undergo their own technological revolution.

Recent advancements have rendered a large part of conventional arsenals obsolete and disrupted strategies and tactics in place since World War II. Military strategists must rethink and try to envision where this evolution will lead as it is just beginning, making what we know today a transitional period.

The challenges posed by this new technological landscape will affect defense programs lasting decades. Past failures in costly military projects highlight inefficiencies, contrasting with adversaries like Iran and China who use affordable yet innovative technologies to challenge Western supremacy.

For instance, Beijing has developed the technique of “drone swarms,” integrating micro-drones with AI for infantry use in reconnaissance or autonomous bombing missions. The Jiutian SS-UAV system enables coordinated swarm attacks, surpassing competitors in numbers and intelligence.

In the realm of electronic warfare, China tested swarms of 1,000 to 2,000 drones to create electromagnetic interferences, simulating disruptions like Starlink over strategic areas. Iran democratized aerial warfare using low-cost drones like the Shahed-136, disrupting Ukrainian efforts supported by NATO.

The ongoing advancements in drones and AI pose a significant threat to traditional military assets like tanks, aircraft, and naval vessels. High-altitude drones carrying diverse weapons are shifting the dynamics of warfare. Lower Earth orbit satellites are revolutionizing missile guidance and advanced ISR capabilities.

Traditional combat assets like combat helicopters face obsolescence, while drones of the 6th generation present a major threat to manned aircraft. Nations are investing in these technologies, foreseeing the limitation of large ships acting as missile launch platforms and the vulnerability of detectable assets to precision-guided weaponry.

Military and engineering professionals tasked with developing future armaments struggle to predict and engage in programs that span decades in a rapidly evolving landscape.