The war in Ukraine has accelerated the transformation of warfare faster than anyone expected: from trenches to drones, from command posts to the cloud, and from intuition to data. Artificial intelligence and civilian technologies now determine speed, accuracy, and survival. At the same time, the “nationwide war” is returning, in which everyone shares responsibility for the outcome—from engineers to first responders.
From tanks to code: the digital revolution at the front
The conflict has shifted from tank maneuvers to a contest of drones, jammers, and data. Alongside kinetic strikes, there are cyberattacks, psychological operations, and massive wiping or disruption of systems to deprive the opponent of the ability to respond. On the battlefield, it’s now “IT versus IT”: target recognition, detection of decoys, and fire direction are underpinned by algorithms. What we know from civilian cyber defense has become the front line’s daily routine.
The biggest AI breakthrough is felt in reconnaissance and sorting of vast data coming from satellites, drones, and open sources. What used to be delayed manual analyses now takes minutes—targets are generated faster and more accurately. Autonomous drones are being tested that can prioritize targets according to the tasking, as well as intelligent swarms with internal division of labor. In practice, this saves ammunition, shortens decision-making, and increases first-shot hits.
War of the entire country: people, industry, and the pace of innovation
Ukraine has demonstrated the return of a “nationwide war”: alongside the army, services, infrastructure, industry, and volunteers keep the country running. An ordinary citizen with a phone becomes a sensor sending geolocated data into the system; it is claimed that up to 95 % of intelligence comes from open sources. Civilian drones purchased in large numbers have changed tactics faster than traditional armament cycles. The result is a compression of the innovation loop to three to six months.
Ukraine’s “garage–front” approach accelerates iterations: crews tweak software or hardware after a mission and go back out. Western industry is robust but slower; if it waits for “perfect solutions,” reality on the battlefield will outpace them. Small states can thus gain a comparative advantage if they invest in AI and the rapid integration of civilian technologies. The key is the mindset: to live the evolution together with the systems, not after it.
What this means for Slovakia
Electronic warfare is now the essential first step in defense: jam, navigate, protect sensors and networks—otherwise neither an airport nor a city can be defended. Instead of waiting for “the best iPhone,” we need to continually deploy air-defense and anti-drone sensors, jammers, digital command and control, and cyber defense. Intelligence services must master the analysis of masses of data, not just their collection. And procurement must be shortened, otherwise equipment will arrive already obsolete.
People are decisive: educating engineers, operators, “hackers,” and rank-and-file soldiers in working with digital technology is as important as hardware. Alongside the “soft” side, force is still necessary to stop an invasion and seize territory—from precision munitions to mechanized units. AI brings an advantage, but also the risk of misuse and ethical dilemmas that opponents may not share. To win means keeping pace, combining technologies, and being prepared for a war of the entire society.
