Learning from an Ally at War: Preparing the U.S. for the Next Fight
- This article argues that the United States and NATO are falling behind in understanding and adapting to the realities of modern drone warfare, and must urgently learn from...
- * New Drone Forces: Russia has established dedicated drone units and a drone center ("rubikon") demonstrating a serious commitment to this technology.
- * Need for Increased Involvement: The US needs to send more personnel, resources, and experts to Ukraine to study the ongoing drone war firsthand.
Key Takeaways: Learning from the Drone War in Ukraine
This article argues that the United States and NATO are falling behind in understanding and adapting to the realities of modern drone warfare, and must urgently learn from the experiences of Ukraine. Here’s a breakdown of the key points:
1. Russia is Adapting & Aggressively Utilizing Drones:
* New Drone Forces: Russia has established dedicated drone units and a drone center (“rubikon”) demonstrating a serious commitment to this technology.
* Gray Warfare/Hybrid Warfare: Russia is actively using drones for probing attacks against NATO countries, testing defenses and identifying vulnerabilities. This is a continuation of their ancient tactics of hybrid warfare.
* Learning from Ukraine: Russia is also benefiting from the conflict, with North Korean soldiers gaining battlefield experience alongside Russian forces.
2. US/NATO are Slow to Adapt:
* Need for Increased Involvement: The US needs to send more personnel, resources, and experts to Ukraine to study the ongoing drone war firsthand.
* Scale & Evolution: The war in Ukraine represents the first truly comprehensive drone war, offering invaluable lessons.
* Historical Parallel: Just as the US learned crucial lessons about radar during WWII, it must learn from Ukraine about drone warfare now.
3. Three Critical Lessons from Ukraine:
* Electromagnetic Warfare (EW): American soldiers have never operated in an surroundings with such intense electromagnetic jamming and interference affecting command & control and precision navigation systems.
* Ukrainian Drone Innovation: Ukraine has rapidly developed a robust drone industry, creating a wide range of drones – from small, soldier-targeting models to larger drones capable of strategic strikes. the US is lagging behind in innovation and acquisition.
* Fighting Outnumbered & Outgunned: Ukraine is demonstrating how to fight effectively despite being outmatched in manpower and weaponry. This is a crucial lesson given potential conflicts with China over Taiwan and the increasing aggression from Russia.
Overall Message: The article stresses the urgency of learning from the war in Ukraine to prepare for future conflicts, particularly those involving advanced drone technology and potential adversaries like Russia and China. It highlights a meaningful gap in preparedness within the US and NATO and advocates for a more proactive and focused approach to drone warfare.