The article discusses how the use of drones by Ukraine during the Russian invasion has highlighted vulnerabilities within NATO, as military exercises reveal an urgent need for adaptation in modern warfare.
The ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine has offered a preview of potential future conflict characteristics, showcasing both the resurgence of mass armies and the rise of unmanned systems in warfare. These drone technologies, which are cost-effective to build and maintain, have become instrumental across all operational domains. According to a report from the Wall Street Journal, NATO conducted a significant exercise called Hedgehog 2025 in Estonia, involving 16,000 troops from 12 member countries and several Ukrainian experts, including veterans. This exercise aimed to adapt NATO’s doctrine to the new operational requirements presented by drone warfare.
Lieutenant Colonel Arbo Probal, who heads the unmanned systems program for the Estonian Defense Forces, emphasized the exercise's goal of evolving NATO's tactical and strategic perspectives in response to the shifting dynamics of modern conflict. The event served as an essential training landscape, reflecting the growing reliance on drone capabilities among member states, as well as the lessons learned from Ukraine’s implementation of drone warfare against Russian forces. The integration of these systems is increasingly seen as crucial for maintaining combat effectiveness in future military engagements.
The implications of this shift are significant for NATO, as it maneuvers to confront challenges posed by technologically adept adversaries. The reliance on drones necessitates reevaluation of existing military frameworks and strategies. The article underlines the importance of innovation and adaptation within NATO to address vulnerabilities exposed by the ongoing war in Ukraine, suggesting that failure to do so could lead to a mismatch between traditional military responses and the realities of contemporary warfare.
