Evolved Ways of War from Ukraine

Observations from my latest Ukraine visit, Part 5

Image: @DefenceU at Twitter / X

During my recent visit to Ukraine, I spoke with many different government and military officials, as well as experts in think tanks. These discussions provided new insights which added to the knowledge I have gained in my previous trips to Ukraine.

This is the fifth and final in a series of short pieces in the wake of my most recent Ukraine visit. The first part in this series explored war strategy. The second part examined strategic communications and influence. In part three of this series, I wrote about the people issues which are having an impact on the war. The fourth partexplored the operational art and strategic strike complexes.

In this final article in the series, I explore new technologies and their impact on warfighting in Ukraine and beyond.

New Technology is an Old Story in War

Every war since the beginning of the First Industrial Revolution has witnessed the introduction and exploitation of new technologies. In the 19^th century, the railroad and the telegraph transformed fighting in the U.S. Civil War and the Crimean War. In the 20^th century, the internal combustion engine, flight, mass production and wireless communications also significantly changed the character of war.

The 21st century is already seeing new and evolved technologies transform the character of war.