Nahla Abdel Monem

The military sector is undergoing a profound transformation due to the rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies. These technologies now permeate core defense operations and support strategic data analysis. They also enhance surveillance, reconnaissance, field decision-making, and the development of autonomous combat systems, including drones and robotic platforms.This shift is significantly increasing military efficiency and reducing response times. However, the expansion of AI in military use also brings complex international challenges, particularly the acceleration of the global arms race and emerging ethical and legal concerns. It is therefore urgent to establish strict international regulations to ensure military decisions remain under effective human control and to prevent these technologies from becoming uncontrollable.Military ApplicationsAI is rapidly expanding within military systems, becoming the backbone of a new generation of combat capabilities that reshape modern warfare. These systems provide significant advantages in command, reconnaissance, field operations, and overall operational awareness. Key applications include:1- Development of Command, Control, Communications, and Field Systems: AI enhances <a href="https://www.oledcomm.net/blog/what-is-command-and-control/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Command and Control (C2) systems</a> by organizing, analyzing, and directing information for efficient decision-making at strategic, operational, and tactical levels. Intelligent C2 systems integrate technology, human resources, and organizational processes to improve situational awareness and accelerate responses. They interface with military vehicles, drones, satellites, field centers, and Internet of Things (IoT) networks, ensuring coordination and information superiority during operations.Modern technologies such as machine learning, quantum encryption, and LiFi wireless communication provide higher speed and security without radio frequency interference. Despite challenges like electromagnetic disruption and communication instability, AI-powered C2 systems remain highly secure, flexible, and capable of supporting critical missions.2- Supporting Military Reconnaissance and Surveillance Missions: AI improves Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (<a href="https://aijourn.com/how-ai-is-shaping-engineering-in-the-military-and-defence-sector/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ISR</a>) operations by enhancing data collection, analysis, and situational awareness. Automated surveillance systems allow faster threat detection and reduce personnel workload, enabling more accurate and timely responses on the battlefield.3- Enhancing the Combat Capabilities of Autonomous Vehicles: AI enhances the combat capabilities of autonomous land, <a href="https://systematic.com/int/industries/defence/news-knowledge/blog/autonomous-vessels-and-the-future-of-maritime-warfare/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">naval</a>, and aerial vehicles. Autonomous naval systems can collect data and make independent decisions, reducing human risk and improving mission effectiveness. AI-enabled <a href="https://www.interregional.com/article/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%AA%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B3%D9%83%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9:/3245/Ar" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">drones</a> can autonomously detect threats, perform complex reconnaissance, and improve maneuverability in cluttered environments. Similarly, self-driving <a href="https://mindy-support.com/news-post/autonomous-vehicles-are-making-their-way-into-the-military/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">land vehicles</a> can conduct high-risk tasks such as clearing explosives, evacuating the wounded, and scouting, allowing human operators to focus on critical decisions.4- Improving Targeting Accuracy and Military Engagement: AI-driven <a href="https://www.defence-industries.com/articles/how-ai-driven-targeting-systems-are-enhancing-multi-domain" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">targeting systems</a> analyze vast amounts of reconnaissance and surveillance data from various sources in real time, providing enhanced situational awareness. This enables fire-control systems to identify and classify threats, optimize fire trajectories, and predict target behavior, thereby increasing engagement accuracy and reducing collateral damage.5- Advancing Military Cybersecurity: AI significantly strengthens cybersecurity by surpassing human capabilities in real-time threat detection and response. It enables predictive analytics, automatic attack detection, and rapid response to cyber incidents. AI can identify anomalies that traditional systems miss and implement automated defenses to protect critical <a href="https://eujournal.org/index.php/esj/article/view/19248" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">military</a> networks.6- Providing Military Training Simulation Models: AI technologies play a key role in improving military training programs by creating realistic virtual environments that replicate different battlefields, enemy behaviors, and field conditions. These <a href="https://sdi.ai/blog/military-training-simulation-software-ai/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">simulations</a> help soldiers develop their skills and make rapid decisions under high-pressure situations without putting their lives at risk. They also allow for precise assessment of trainees’ performance, identifying areas that need further improvement. As a result, AI enhances combat readiness, reduces the risks of live training, and lowers overall training costs.7- Restructuring Logistical Support for Forces: AI is enhancing the <a href="https://unidir.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/UNIDIR_AI_military_domain_implications_international_peace_security.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">logistical</a> capabilities of armies. Its impact is no longer limited to direct battlefields. It now extends to all aspects that ensure the continuity of military operations, including supply chain management, transportation, and resource distribution. Modern armies increasingly rely on algorithms that can direct supply convoys along the safest and most efficient routes. They also apply advanced solutions in transportation and inventory management.AI supports predictive <a href="https://innefu.com/ai-in-defence-how-artificial-intelligence-is-powering-tomorrows-military/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">maintenance</a> of military assets. It can anticipate when tanks, aircraft, and warships are likely to fail. This enables proactive maintenance before problems occur. As a result, operational forces maintain higher readiness. It also reduces unplanned downtime and ensures that military equipment remains effective during missions.8- Enhancing Air and Missile Defense Systems: Modern <a href="https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/blog/the-role-of-artificial-intelligence-in-air-defense-systems-1080" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">air defense</a> systems rely on AI to integrate and analyze data from radars, satellites, and drones. This allows them to provide an accurate picture of air threats faster than traditional radars. AI technology helps maintain the flow of information even when communications are jammed. This enhances decision-making speed and improves the ability to counter complex threats. It does so by enabling smart interceptions with a lower error rate. Some experts note that AI also improves <a href="https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/2730215/vice-admiral-discusses-potential-of-ai-in-missile-defense-testing-operations/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">missile defense</a> operations. It enhances detection, tracking, and target discrimination capabilities. Additionally, AI reduces the burden on operators by automating routine tasks. This allows operators to focus on critical operational decisions.9- Reducing Field Risks with Robots: Armies employ AI-modified robots to perform complex logistical tasks in high-risk combat environments. These <a href="https://centralfloridatechgrove.org/military-ai-innovations-transforming-defense-training-and-readiness/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">robots</a> transport ammunition, supplies, and medical equipment through areas that may contain explosive devices or other direct threats. They use autonomous navigation and advanced sensor systems to move across rough terrain without human intervention. This allows troops to carry out supply and evacuation operations safely, without exposing soldiers to danger in the field.10- Strategic Data Analysis and Military Decision Support: AI transforms military <a href="https://cset.georgetown.edu/publication/ai-for-military-decision-making/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">strategy</a> by analyzing vast datasets, satellite imagery, and weapon patterns, providing predictive insights. This enables proactive decision-making and operational advantages. However, responsible use requires defined operational limits, operator training, and continuous monitoring to prevent bias or overreliance.Potential ChallengesThe rapid spread of AI in the military adds a complex dimension to this transformation. Beyond improving army efficiency, AI introduces major strategic and ethical risks that could reshape the rules of war and deterrence.As countries increasingly rely on autonomous systems and algorithms for sensitive decisions, challenges arise that may make conflict environments more fragile and volatile. It is therefore crucial to assess these implications before they spiral out of control.1- Increased Risk for Errors in Assessing Field Conditions: Despite the significant benefits of AI in supporting military decision-making, it carries a range of <a href="https://cset.georgetown.edu/publication/ai-for-military-decision-making/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">risks</a> and challenges. AI systems can fail when used in contexts very different from their training data. They may also struggle to predict complex human interactions that lack accurate models.The scarcity of reliable combat data, or biases within the data, can lead to inaccurate outputs. AI systems can mislead users by presenting incorrect information with excessive confidence.Human biases, such as a preference for automation, may cause operators to accept wrong recommendations and over-rely on the system. This can result in poor decision-making, especially in high-pressure scenarios.2- Continued Human Responsibility for Managing Military AI: Despite AI's ability to process vast amounts of data and provide rapid strategic recommendations, final decisions in military crises still require <a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2025/769580/EPRS_BRI(2025)769580_EN.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">human</a> intervention. This ensures ethical judgment, avoids catastrophic mistakes, interprets algorithm results, and prevents misunderstandings of early warning or smart surveillance systems. Such intervention reduces the risk of unintended escalation in conflicts, including those involving nuclear threats.The use of AI in warfare raises significant <a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2025/769580/EPRS_BRI(2025)769580_EN.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ethical</a> concerns, most notably accountability and compliance with international humanitarian law. It also raises questions about who is responsible when mistakes occur or unintended harm results, especially when using lethal autonomous weapons that rely on algorithms to identify targets.3- Vulnerability of Algorithms to Cyberattacks: AI-powered field systems remain highly vulnerable to <a href="https://www.militaryaerospace.com/computers/article/55277563/vulnerabilities-of-artificial-intelligence-to-cyber-and-electronic-warfare-attack" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">cyberattacks</a> and electronic warfare. The main threats include data poisoning, which involves corrupting the data received by the system, and model theft, such as secretly obtaining the system's algorithms. These threats can undermine confidence in automated decisions and highlight that investment in cybersecurity has become the first line of defense for maintaining military AI superiority.4- Expansion of the Arms Race in Military AI: The world is witnessing an accelerating arms race in military AI, led by the United States, China, and Russia. The U.S. is investing billions of dollars in intelligence systems, logistics, and unmanned vehicles. China is developing autonomous military vehicles and swarm aircraft technologies to bypass missile defenses. Russia aims to automate <a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2025/769580/EPRS_BRI(2025)769580_EN.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">30%</a> of its military equipment by 2025, drawing on its experience in the war in Ukraine.This race reflects the role of AI as a force multiplier for military power. Experts warn about the dangers of an arms race without international controls. Traditional arms races aim to balance military power between countries. However, AI is not a ready-made weapon; it is a complex <a href="https://cepa.org/article/ai-and-arms-races/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">software</a> tool that supports military operations. Competition for AI differs from traditional arms races, and the strongest will be those who can access effective technology the fastest.5- International Conflict over Algorithms and Microchips: Modern wars are increasingly driven by <a href="https://www.army.mil/article/288851/where_does_the_cyber_arms_race_lead_to_in_the_age_of_artificial_intelligence" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">algorithms</a> rather than traditional armies. The U.S. and China rely on systems that generate combat scenarios and make tactical decisions faster than humans, creating a race for faster and more predictive algorithms.<a href="https://www.microchipusa.com/industry-news/how-microchips-are-revolutionizing-the-military?srsltid=AfmBOoqIcjHneKG7gS5jxfkWLNkvAnUwjfyGzIwKW69JhqS8gSYGDnqv" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Microchips</a> play a key role in encrypted communications, smart weapons, and reconnaissance, enabling precision, automation, and cybersecurity. Consequently, chip manufacturers have become strategic players, as their technology directly affects the efficiency of autonomous systems, drones, and smart munitions.6- AI is Changing the Traditional Balance of Deterrence: AI has changed the traditional balance of deterrence. <a href="https://kissinger.sais.jhu.edu/programs-and-projects/kissinger-center-papers/deterrence-through-ai-enabled-detection-and-attribution/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Deterrence</a> now depends not only on the size of weapons but also on the accuracy, speed, and effectiveness of AI-driven decision-making and access to sensitive defense technologies. However, the speed and transparency of AI systems can create uncertainty about adversaries’ capabilities, potentially leading to aggressive strategies and unintended escalation. Deterrence is thus shifting from raw military power to a multidimensional tool based on information superiority and strategic precision.7- Risks of Military AI Technology Leakage: The leakage of military AI technologies, especially open-source or commercially available systems, poses a major threat if they reach non-state actors like armed groups or <a href="https://unidir.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/UNIDIR_AI_military_domain_implications_international_peace_security.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">militias</a>. In irresponsible hands, these technologies could enable precision attacks and complex cyber operations, making it essential to develop effective counterstrategies.In conclusion, developments in military AI suggest future wars where conventional weapons will be less central, while algorithmic superiority turns data into striking power. Physical and digital warfare will increasingly overlap, making technological infrastructure a critical target. AI-powered drones will play a key role, but humans will remain essential in guiding military decisions. Power will depend on how effectively states combine advanced technology with human expertise to shape deterrence and manage complex conflicts.

The Implications of Expanding Military Applications of Artificial Intelligence