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The world is witnessing a fundamental transformation in the nature of warfare, with AI increasingly integrated into military domains as part of a shift that has prompted many countries to rethink their military doctrines and force structures. AI-enabled military tools are reshaping the character of modern war, with significant implications for battlefield operations and the ethical use of force. In this context, the race is now underway to incorporate AI into military operations, as can be clearly seen in the examples of Ukraine and Russia, where both sides are seeking to develop AI-enabled systems and employ them in their ongoing conflict.Multiple Models of Military AI UseThe most prominent uses of AI in the military sphere can be outlined as follows:1. Development of AI-Enabled Targeting Systems: The military domain has undergone a major shift with the <a href="https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/how-ai-is-turbocharging-the-war-in-iran-aca59002" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">emergence of AI-supported targeting systems</a> that rely on large-scale data analysis to integrate multiple intelligence sources, including intercepted communications, satellite imagery, sensor feeds, and movement patterns. These systems have enabled a transition from slower, traditional targeting processes to faster and more efficient models capable of identifying potential targets in significantly less time, thereby enhancing operational capability and improving military planning and execution.These developments form part of broader military processes that include target detection, identification, tracking, engagement, and battle damage assessment. In this regard, the U.S. Department of Defense’s Project <a href="https://www.canadianaffairs.news/2026/04/07/ai-at-war-five-things-to-know-about-project-maven/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Maven</a> stands out. Launched in 2017 as a limited initiative to help analysts process vast volumes of drone footage from conflict zones, the program has evolved into a large-scale AI system supporting targeting and battlefield management. This has accelerated what military doctrine describes as the "kill chain"—the process from target detection to target destruction. In practical terms, this has shortened decision-making timelines from days or hours to minutes, even if a human remains formally within the decision loop, though in some cases that role may become largely symbolic.2. Reports Highlighting the Iran War as a Laboratory for Future AI Warfare: A number of Western reports have suggested that <a href="https://asiatimes.com/2026/04/china-using-iran-as-proxy-lab-for-future-ai-warfare-with-us/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">China</a> is using the current war pitting the United States and Israel against Iran as a live testing environment for future AI-enabled warfare, within the broader context of strategic competition with Washington.According to these reports, Chinese AI-based support in intelligence and information operations has introduced a new dimension to the conflict. Chinese technology firms—some of which maintain indirect links to China’s military establishment—are reportedly developing and marketing AI-driven intelligence tools capable of tracking U.S. force movements, analyzing satellite imagery, monitoring aircraft and naval activity, and producing detailed assessments of force deployments.3. The Emergence of the Ukrainian Model of AI-Enhanced Warfare: The Russia-Ukraine conflict is among the clearest examples of the shift toward AI-enabled warfare. <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly7jrez2jno" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ukraine</a> has reportedly used advanced technologies to analyze more than 50,000 video clips per month from frontline areas, allowing it to identify Russian force positions and continuously update operational maps.Low-cost drones have also been used for reconnaissance and precision strikes, achieving a substantial impact on the battlefield at relatively low cost. Ongoing competition between electronic warfare capabilities and drone operators has driven an iterative cycle of innovation, where anti-drone measures such as jamming are then overcome by counter-measures like the use of fiber-optic cables.In this sense, the battlefield has increasingly become a contest for drone dominance, with both Ukraine and Russia seeking technological breakthroughs that may turn future wars into contests between algorithms.The AI arms race is not limited to the air domain; similar developments are now taking place in ground operations. According to reports from April 2025, Ukraine has completed its largest-ever field trials of domestic military robotics technology, testing more than 70 ground robotic systems (GRS) to assess reliability, combat readiness, and the ability to operate under harsh conditions, including electronic warfare and long distances from control units. Most systems have reportedly exceeded expectations, with some already in use by elite military units.4. Expanding Use of AI in Air Defense Systems: <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ai-artificial-intelligence-military-use-in-war/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">AI-supported air defense systems</a> have demonstrated an increasing ability to deal with complex aerial threats, particularly amid the growing use of missiles and drones. These systems rely on advanced algorithms capable of analyzing the trajectories of hundreds of incoming threats simultaneously and prioritizing interceptions in real time—well beyond traditional human capabilities.Reports indicate that such systems can make immediate decisions regarding which threats should be intercepted and by what means, thereby increasing effectiveness and reducing the probability of error. AI integration also improves the management and allocation of defensive resources.5. Russian Efforts to Develop AI Across Its Military: Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on April 10, 2026 that Russia <a href="https://arabic.rt.com/world/1777295-%D8%A8%D9%88%D8%AA%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B0%D9%83%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B5%D8%B7%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%B9%D9%8A-%D8%B0%D9%88-%D8%A3%D9%87%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%AC%D9%88%D9%87%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%88%D9%85%D8%B5%D9%8A%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%A8%D9%84-%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A7/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">must move toward the digitalization of its military structure</a> and command-and-control systems. He emphasized that Russian sovereignty and national security depend directly on the country’s ability to keep pace with this technological shift, reflecting Moscow’s recognition of the nature of international competition in what could be described as "algorithmic warfare." Putin also noted that major military powers are investing heavily in AI and achieving "tangible results."This effort forms part of broader Russian attempts to modernize its armed forces through intelligent command systems, expanded use of AI in reconnaissance, surveillance, and intelligence analysis, as well as support for unmanned platforms such as drones and autonomous land and naval vehicles. This suggests that Moscow views AI as an important domain of strategic competition, no less important than conventional or nuclear armaments.6. European Union Development of the AGILE Defense Innovation Program: The European Union is intensifying efforts to keep pace with rapid changes in military technology. One of the latest proposals is the <a href="https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2026/04/07/ai-drones-quantum-the-eus-new-agile-plan-targets-future-warfare" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Agile and Rapid Defense Innovation Program (AGILE)</a>, which seeks to invest approximately €115 million in breakthrough defense technologies supported by AI.The program was introduced by the European Commission in March 2026 as a rapid financing tool intended to move defense technologies out of development and into real-world deployment far faster than existing European mechanisms allow. Under its current structure, it would fund projects that have already reached a relatively advanced stage, with emphasis on technologies that can be tested, validated, and deployed by armed forces within one to three years.Potential ImplicationsGrowing international interest in expanding AI use in the military sphere could result in several major consequences:1. Emergence of a Global Technological Arms Race: The expansion of military AI points to a growing technological arms race among major powers. The year 2025 reportedly marked the strongest funding year on record for defense technology startups, with <a href="https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2026/01/20/defense-tech-startups-had-their-best-funding-year-ever-in-2025/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">investment rising</a> sharply amid growing military demand for AI, drones, and autonomous systems.Venture capital deals in defense technology reached a record $49.1 billion in 2025, compared with $27.2 billion in 2024. These figures include dual-use startups focused primarily on civilian markets but possessing defense applications. Data indicate that much of the capital directed toward manufacturing expansion between 2022 and 2025 has gone into drones, space systems, infrastructure, defense electronics, and sensing technologies.2. Concerns Over Nuclear Escalation Risks: A growing body of literature has examined how AI decision-support systems could affect nuclear escalation risks. <a href="https://arxiv.org/pdf/2602.14740" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Some</a> analysts argue that reliance on intelligent systems may shorten the time available to leaders during crises, reducing opportunities for careful deliberation.The complexity of certain AI models may also weaken the ability of states to interpret their adversaries’ signals accurately. As a result, deterrence mechanisms based on clarity and mutual understanding could erode, increasing the risk of miscalculation and unintended nuclear escalation.A study published in February 2026, involving AI models in 21 simulated crises between nuclear-armed states, found that if decision-making were delegated to AI systems, the constraints limiting their use of nuclear weapons were weaker than expected. According to the study, "nuclear escalation was nearly universal," with 95% of scenarios involving tactical nuclear use and 76% escalating to strategic nuclear threats. It added that models such as Anthropic’s Claude and Google’s Gemini treated nuclear weapons as legitimate strategic options rather than ethical red lines.3. Growing International Focus on Governance of Military AI: The <a href="https://www.chathamhouse.org/2026/03/iran-war-highlights-creeping-use-ai-warfare" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">United Nations resolution issued in December 2025</a> on "Artificial Intelligence in the Military Domain and Its Implications for International Peace and Security" represented a positive step by encouraging multilateral discussion.A three-day multilateral meeting scheduled for June 2026 is expected to provide an opportunity for consultation and exchange of views regarding AI use in armed conflict. Such discussions could help build confidence and pave the way for shared best practices. In the absence of these efforts, however, the risks associated with military AI remain substantial.4. Potential Access by Non-State Actors: The falling cost of drones and &nbsp;AI technologies has <a href="https://cetas.turing.ac.uk/publications/terrorism-and-autonomous-weapon-systems-future-threat-or-science-fiction" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">enabled non-state actors</a> to acquire increasingly advanced military capabilities. Traditional military superiority is no longer confined to major states, but is increasingly accessible to armed groups with limited resources.AI has lowered the cost of developing and using advanced capabilities such as drones, autonomous systems, cyberwarfare tools, and information operations. This may allow armed groups to make a strategic impact at relatively low cost.At the same time, the use of generative AI to produce propaganda and disinformation has strengthened the information warfare capabilities of such actors by enabling them to influence public opinion and destabilize the political and social environments of targeted states.ConclusionArtificial intelligence is no longer a distant future possibility on the battlefield; it has become an operational reality evolving in real time. From precision targeting to strategic decision-making, AI is reshaping both the tempo and tools of war.The war in Ukraine has accelerated this transformation, while any future conflict—such as a potential crisis over Taiwan—could drive even faster evolution.In the absence of a comprehensive international legal framework governing AI use in armed conflict, there is an urgent need to develop international rules and standards that ensure responsible use of this technology, strengthen global peace and security, and reduce humanitarian risks.

How AI Is Reshaping Modern Warfare