Zaluzhnyi named the main challenges of modern warfare and proposed a technological strategy for victory

Zaluzhnyi named the main challenges of modern warfare and proposed a technological strategy for victory

The DSEI-2025 exhibition in London highlighted that the modern battlefield is becoming increasingly transparent, and traditional methods of warfare are losing their effectiveness. As Valeriy Zaluzhnyi notes, Ukrainian developments received high praise, but maintaining the initiative requires a clear strategy and international support.

The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, retired General Valeriy Zaluzhnyi in his article for "Dzerkalo Tyzhnia" emphasizes that the technological component of warfare will determine the course of events in the future. The author conducts a comparative analysis of the events of 2023-2025 and draws conclusions about the necessary changes in defense strategy.

Ukrainian developments at DSEI-2025

At the DSEI-2025 exhibition, Ukrainian manufacturers presented a wide range of innovative solutions — from tactical UAVs to electronic warfare complexes and components integrating artificial intelligence into reconnaissance and strike missions.

The author of the article points out that the range of exhibits generally demonstrates a transition from "past war" equipment to systems focused on networked interaction of sensors and strike assets. At the same time, the main threat to defense is the transparency of the battlefield: the proliferation of reconnaissance UAVs allows the enemy to detect force concentrations in real time and adjust precision strikes.

Positional warfare and attrition

The author views the events of 2023 as a manifestation of a positional deadlock: in the absence of a superiority of forces, offensives have become prolonged and exhausting. The widespread use of aerial reconnaissance and long-range weapons has reduced the element of surprise, complicating classic maneuvers.

Mass use of drones and electronic warfare

The author places particular emphasis on the role of small FPV drones: their mass use has changed tactics and made defense more fragile. In parallel, electronic warfare systems and new communication methods are altering the ways drones are used, creating new challenges and responses in operational practice. As a result, defensive positions are gradually transforming: large concentrations of personnel at the front have become unacceptable, rear lines have "surrendered" to constant fire control, and logistics have become vulnerable to reconnaissance and attacks.

From the perspective of human resources, positional warfare makes mobilization and training key factors of resilience. The author stresses that without a sufficient number of trained personnel and mobile reserves, a large-scale maneuver breakthrough at the operational level is impossible.

The need for a national strategy

In response to these challenges, Zaluzhnyi proposes:

• developing a national program for the advancement of cutting-edge defense technologies with clear scientific and production support;
• recruiting IT specialists into the military and creating specialized research centers in close cooperation with the army;
• addressing the issue of access to microprocessors and critical components;
• strengthening international coordination of defense solution exports and imports.

In addition to technological measures, the author calls for political and diplomatic steps: leveraging existing partnerships to form security alliances while simultaneously limiting scientific and technological cooperation with the adversary.

Technological competition of the future

In conclusion, Valeriy Zaluzhnyi emphasizes that victory in a long-term technological competition will require systematic planning, rapid scaling of innovations, and the ability to seize technological initiative from the country. Without this, the author believes, Ukraine’s defense strategy risks finding itself in a situation where resource exhaustion and constant pressure from the enemy will make the state’s resilience extremely fragile.