Drones: Can Tunisia establish itself among the greats?

The nature of armed conflicts is undergoing a profound transformation, marked by the emergence of accessible and highly effective technologies. Drones, sometimes available for a few hundred dollars, are now capable of neutralizing sophisticated defense systems costing several million, said security and defense expert Khaled Aouij.

Speaking on Express Fm on Friday, April 24, 2026, he explained that this evolution is part of an “economic attrition war” logic, aiming to weaken the opponent by depleting their financial resources. “The conflict is no longer only about the means, but about tactics, innovation, and adaptability,” he emphasized.

According to the expert, the main risk lies in the use of swarms of drones, launching a large number of devices simultaneously. This strategy saturates air defense systems and complicates their interception. It illustrates a major shift in military doctrines, moving from a logic of technological sophistication to an approach based on volume and operational efficiency.

In this context, armies are called to rethink their models. Khaled Aouij compares the traditional military industry to luxury cars, expensive and highly sophisticated, while the realities of the field now require simpler and more agile solutions, comparable to motorcycles. He points out that many drones rely on easily accessible civilian components, such as engines or GPS systems, facilitating their proliferation, even among non-state actors.

The expert also highlights the growing role of artificial intelligence, which enhances strike precision and allows drones to operate in complex environments, including at night or under electronic jamming. He emphasizes the speed of technological evolutions, with extremely short innovation cycles, forcing armies to constantly adapt.

Beyond these global transformations, Khaled Aouij believes that Tunisia has important assets in this field. He recalls that the country has been interested in drone technologies since the 1990s and now benefits from engineering skills capable of supporting their development. He calls for the establishment of strong partnerships between the public and private sectors, as well as the implementation of an incentivizing regulatory framework.

According to the expert, Tunisia could position itself as an international platform in drone technology development, provided it relies on a clear political will and strategic vision.