Military technology has evolved rapidly since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Drone technology, specifically, has emerged as a decisive new factor in modern warfare.
Straight Arrow News contributor Peter Zeihan reviews the use of drones in the Russia-Ukraine war to understand how warfare itself is evolving today. The recent Ukrainian drone attacks on Russia’s energy sector, Zeihan argues, are a testament to the key role that drones perform in modern militaries.
Excerpted from Peter’s March 26 “Zeihan on Geopolitics” newsletter:
The new face of military technology is here… and no, it’s not some Master Chief-type suit running around the battlefield. We’re talking about the democratization of tech applications and the empowerment of individual soldiers to make strategic decisions.
The best example of this is the use of drone technology in Ukraine. With accurate and timely striking capabilities at the fingertips of everyday soldiers, attacks can be carried out at the flip of a switch. We’re seeing this play out with strikes on Russian naval vessels, small drones used in anti-personnel attacks, mid-range infrastructure strikes, and modular drones like the Phoenix Ghost for precision attacks deep in Russian territory.
These drone technologies and other developments are playing a key role in disrupting Russian operations, and we’re beginning to see practical applications for use in future conflicts. The decentralization of precision targeting is shaping up to be a transformative force in contemporary conflicts.