Combat lessons: What Europeans should learn from Ukraine – European Council on Foreign Relations
AI Analysis
The article highlights the shift in modern warfare demonstrated by the Ukraine conflict, emphasizing the primacy of drones, robotics, missiles, and information technology over traditional platform counts. It suggests European nations acknowledge this shift but require substantial adaptation in military strategy and procurement. The conflict underscores a new era where technological superiority, particularly in unmanned systems, is paramount.
Key Takeaways
- The Ukraine war demonstrates a shift in warfare prioritizing drones, robotics, missiles, and IT over traditional military hardware.
- Military power is now measured by these advanced technologies, not simply the number of tanks, ships, or aircraft.
- European nations acknowledge this shift but need to accelerate adaptation.
- The article implies a need for increased investment in these technologies.
- HIMARS systems are specifically mentioned as a key component of Ukrainian defense.
Why It Matters
This shift necessitates a re-evaluation of defense spending and procurement strategies across Europe, moving away from legacy systems towards advanced, unmanned technologies. Failure to adapt risks strategic disadvantage in future conflicts. The Ukrainian experience provides a crucial case study for modernizing defense capabilities.
Combat lessons: What Europeans should learn from Ukraine – European Council on Foreign Relations
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Ukrainian servicemen fire a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) towards Russian troops, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, near the frontline in Donetsk region, Ukraine, 9 October 2025
picture alliance / REUTERS | Stringer
©
Ukrainians have, against all odds, kept Russia’s military might at bay for over four years. In so doing they have demonstrated the arrival of a new era of warfare in which military power is no longer denominated in numbers of platforms (tanks, ships, combat aircraft), but rather by drones, robots, missiles and information technology. Now these are the things that matter.
Europeans insist they have taken this lesson to heart. Politicians, militaries, indu