Tag: blog

  • “Grey-Zone” Warfare: The New Frontier of Conflict

    “Grey-Zone” Warfare: The New Frontier of Conflict

    Grey-zone warfare refers to actions that fall between traditional war and outright peace — using coercion, influence, and disruption without crossing thresholds that would justify a full military response. It’s a deliberate “blurring” of war and diplomacy.

    Grey Zone Warfare - Plutus IAS

    Key Characteristics

    1. Ambiguity as a Weapon
      • Actions are hard to attribute definitively (e.g., cyberattacks, anonymous militias).
      • This complicates retaliation, as proof is often lacking.
    2. Gradual Escalation
      • Small, cumulative actions wear down the opponent over time.
      • Avoids triggering collective defense clauses like NATO’s Article 5.
    3. Hybrid Tools
      • Cyber operations, economic coercion, disinformation, proxy forces, political subversion.

    Tactics in Use

    Keeping Your Bank Account and Credit Cyber-Smart
    1. Cyberattacks on Infrastructure
      • Targeting banking systems, energy grids, or transport networks.
      • Example: Stuxnet-like malware sabotaging critical systems.
    2. Maritime Harassment
      • Fishing fleets doubling as intelligence gatherers.
      • Coast guard “gray hulls” enforcing territorial claims without a declaration of war.
    3. Disinformation Campaigns
      • Deepfakes, fake news amplification, and social media bots to erode trust.
      • Strategic narrative control to influence foreign elections.
    4. Economic Pressure
      • Weaponized trade bans, selective sanctions, and debt traps.
      • Example: Blocking rare earth exports.

    Countries Leveraging Grey-Zone Strategies

    • China – South China Sea island-building, maritime militia, cyber espionage.
    • Russia – Crimea annexation via “little green men,” election interference.
    • Iran – Proxies in Yemen, Iraq, and Syria to expand regional influence.
    • North Korea – Cryptocurrency thefts to fund missile programs.

    How Nations Can Defend Against It

    1. Persistent ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance)
      • Satellite, UAV, and maritime domain awareness to track ambiguous threats.
    2. Cyber Resilience
      • Harden infrastructure; public-private cybersecurity partnerships.
    3. Strategic Communication
      • Rapidly counter disinformation before it takes root.
    4. Multi-Domain Rapid Response Units
      • Small, agile teams ready to respond to hybrid incidents before escalation.

    Offensive Grey-Zone Opportunities

    1. Lawfare – Using international law aggressively to constrain adversary options.
    2. Economic Leveraging – Strategic control over rare commodities or ports.
    3. Proxy Force Development – Non-state actors aligned with your interests.
    4. Influence Networks – Academic, media, and NGO penetration to shape narratives abroad.
  • “Starvation as Strategy”: The Rise of Food Weaponization in Global Politics

    “Starvation as Strategy”: The Rise of Food Weaponization in Global Politics

    Starvation is a weapon of war: Gazans are paying the price

    I. Why Food is Becoming a Military Asset

    For centuries, armies have “marched on their stomachs,” but in 2025, food isn’t just about sustaining troops — it’s about controlling entire populations and economies.

    Modern states have learned that starvation can be as effective as bullets in breaking resistance.


    Control the food supply, and you can:

    • Force political concessions
    • Collapse economies without firing a shot
    • Secure long-term dependency

    II. The Global Chokepoints of Food Supply

    1. Russia’s Grain Leverage

    SovEcon revises Russia wheat exports higher | World Grain
    • Russia and Ukraine together supply nearly 30% of global wheat exports
    • During the Ukraine war, Russia blocked Black Sea grain shipments, causing price spikes in Africa and the Middle East
    • Moscow used “grain diplomacy” to reward allies and punish critics

    2. China’s Farmland Empire

    • China has been buying or leasing farmland abroad — from Africa to South America
    • Secures long-term food security while leaving local populations dependent on Chinese-controlled supply chains

    3. U.S. and Allied Sanctions on Agricultural Inputs

    • Western states can restrict fertilizer, seed, and agrochemical exports to pressure adversaries
    • Targeting upstream inputs can cripple crop yields for multiple seasons

    III. How Food is Weaponized in Modern Geopolitics

    1. Export Bans and Embargoes

    • Limiting critical grain, rice, or soybean exports to create shortages
    • Example: India’s temporary wheat export ban in 2022 caused ripple effects across Asia

    2. Fertilizer Warfare

    • Restricting nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium exports can cause multi-year food production crises
    • Russia and Belarus control large parts of the world’s potash supply

    3. Control of Seed Genetics

    • Countries can withhold high-yield GMO or hybrid seeds
    • Owning the intellectual property for climate-resilient crops can give leverage over food-insecure nations

    4. Supply Chain Disruption

    • Naval blockades, port seizures, and targeted cyberattacks on agricultural logistics networks

    IV. Strategic Risks of Food Weaponization

    • Humanitarian Backlash: Mass famine can trigger international condemnation — but often too late
    • Migration Crises: Food shortages fuel refugee flows, destabilizing entire regions
    • Shadow Markets: Blockades and shortages create black-market economies that empower criminal networks

    V. Strategic Recommendations for Nations

    1. Food Stockpile Diplomacy
      • Build large emergency reserves to both feed your population and use as a diplomatic tool
    2. Diversify Agricultural Imports
      • Reduce dependence on single suppliers for staple foods and fertilizers
    3. Invest in Climate-Resilient Agriculture
      • Develop drought-resistant crops and vertical farming to reduce vulnerability
    4. Agro-Intelligence Networks
      • Monitor global crop conditions, planting patterns, and shipping flows for early warning of shortages

    VI. The Future: Agricultural Warfare 2035

    Expect to see:

    • Geo-Agro Alliances — food-exporting nations forming strategic blocs
    • Seed Vault Militarization — securing genetic seed banks as national assets
    • AI Crop Prediction Warfare — using AI to manipulate futures markets and destabilize economies

  • From Starlink to Killer Satellites: The Future of Space as a Battlefield.

    From Starlink to Killer Satellites: The Future of Space as a Battlefield.

    I. Why Space is the Next Battlefield

    In the 20th century, wars were fought over land, sea, and air. In the 21st century, the fifth domain of warfare—space—has emerged as the ultimate strategic high ground.

    Whoever controls Earth’s orbit controls global communications, missile defence, intelligence gathering, and even economic stability.

    Satellites are the nervous system of modern militaries:

    • GPS-guided missile strikes
    • Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR)
    • Encrypted communications between field units
    • Early-warning detection for nuclear launches

    Destroy these satellites, and you can blind, confuse, and cripple an enemy before the first shot is fired on Earth.


    II. The Main Players in Space Militarization

    United States

    Opinion | Why giving the Space Force naval ranks might widen the schism  with the Air Force - POLITICO
    • US Space Force was formed in 2019 to consolidate orbital defences
    • X-37B Spaceplane: Reusable, autonomous, and potentially able to deploy small payloads or intercept satellites
    • Satellite constellations like Starlink are now integrated into defence planning (Ukraine war proved its military relevance)

    China

    • Shijian-17 satellite with robotic arm capable of grabbing other satellites
    • DF-21D ASAT missile program for direct satellite destruction
    • Expanding BeiDou navigation system as an alternative to GPS

    Russia

    • Pioneer in co-orbital ASAT weapons since the Cold War
    • Suspected of testing “nesting” satellites that can release smaller killer satellites
    • Blending cyber warfare with space attacks (e.g., Viasat hack in early Ukraine war)

    India

    Mission Shakti - Wikipedia
    • 2019 “Mission Shakti” ASAT test proved capability to shoot down satellites
    • Dual-use civilian and military space program with rapid tech growth

    III. How Space Can Be Weaponized

    1. Direct-Ascent Anti-Satellite Weapons (DA-ASAT)

    Russia launches anti-satellite weapon: A new warfront in space ...
    • Ground-launched missiles destroy satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO)
    • Downside: Creates dangerous orbital debris

    2. Co-Orbital Killers

    • Satellites placed near enemy satellites, capable of disabling or “bumping” them
    • Can be disguised as repair or inspection satellites

    3. Cyber and Signal Warfare

    • Hacking ground stations or intercepting satellite communications
    • Jamming GPS signals over battlefields

    4. Orbital Energy Weapons

    • It is theoretical, but potential for lasers or kinetic projectiles deployed from orbit (“Rods from God” concept)

    IV. The Strategic Risks of Space War

    • Kessler Syndrome: A chain reaction of debris collisions could make low Earth orbit unusable for decades
    • Civilian Dependency: GPS, weather forecasts, global internet all rely on satellites
    • Escalation Risk: Attacking space assets could trigger immediate nuclear alert status in some nations

    V. Strategic Recommendations for Nations

    1. Satellite Resilience & Redundancy
      • Deploy constellation swarms of small satellites (harder to destroy all)
      • Rapid launch capabilities for replacements (SpaceX model)
    2. Hardened Ground Infrastructure
      • Secure satellite control stations against cyber intrusions
      • Backup terrestrial navigation systems
    3. Space Domain Awareness (SDA)
      • Build AI systems to track, classify, and predict satellite maneuvers in real time
    4. International “Space Rules of Engagement”
      • Create treaties defining thresholds for hostile action in orbit (similar to naval law of the sea)

    VI. The Future: From Defense to Domination

    By the 2030s, we could see:

    • Orbital military outposts servicing small fleets of defensive drones
    • Space-based missile shields covering entire continents
    • Commercial space companies becoming de facto military contractors

    In the words of military planners, space is “the ultimate high ground”—and history shows that whoever holds the high ground dictates the terms of battle.

  • Turkey: The Third Gulf Axis Of Power

    Turkey: The Third Gulf Axis Of Power

    Turkey Is Modernizing Its Military to Send Message to the Rest of NATO -  Business Insider

    I. Historical & Strategic Context

    Turkey has long viewed itself as a bridge between Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia, but in recent years, it has evolved into a military-industrial powerhouse with global reach. No longer a passive NATO border state, Turkey under Erdoğan is increasingly projecting influence:

    • North Africa (Libya)
    • The Caucasus (Azerbaijan-Armenia war)
    • Levant and Gulf (Qatar, Iraq, Syria)
    • East Africa (Somalia, Red Sea bases)

    Strategic Shift: From reactive defense to neo-Ottoman influence projection, blending soft and hard power.

    II. Defense Industry as a Foreign Policy Weapon

    Turkey is one of the world’s top 10 arms exporters—a remarkable shift over the past decade. Key defense assets include:

    Bayraktar TB2 & Akinci Drones

    • Used in Libya, Syria, Nagorno-Karabakh, and Ukraine with lethal efficiency
    • Proven value: Affordable, modular, and swarm-capable
    • Exported to over 30 countries

    Domestic Naval Power

    ANALYSIS] TCG Anadolu: the most powerful warship and the flagship of the  Turkish Navy - Turkish Minute
    TCG Anadolu
    • TCG Anadolu: Turkey’s first aircraft carrier (drone carrier)
    • Development of homegrown submarines, corvettes, and missile boats
    • Naval projection into Red Sea and Gulf waters via bases in Qatar and Somalia

    Roketsan & ASELSAN Weapon Systems

    • Indigenous missile tech (SOM cruise missiles, surface-to-air platforms)
    • Electronic warfare, SIGINT, and AI-based C4ISR platforms
    SOM (missile) - Wikipedia

    III. Turkey’s Military Footprint in the Gulf & Red Sea

    Qatar: The Core Gulf Ally

    New military base in Qatar to inaugurate in autumn - Türkiye News
    • Permanent Turkish base in Qatar (Tariq bin Ziyad Base) since the 2017 Gulf blockade
    • Trains Qatari military officers and provides a counterbalance to Saudi-UAE axis
    • Shared interests in Islamic soft power and Muslim Brotherhood-aligned networks

    Somalia & Horn of Africa

    • Camp TURKSOM: Largest Turkish overseas base, training Somali forces
    • Gateway to Red Sea, Indian Ocean routes, and Gulf of Aden chokepoints
    • Turkey is viewed by local governments as an alternative to Western and Chinese influence

    Levant & Iraq

    • Deep involvement in northern Iraq operations (anti-PKK) and northern Syria
    • Construction of semi-permanent military zones near Mosul and Afrin
    • Facilitates indirect influence over Kurdish and Shia corridors leading into Iran and the Gulf

    IV. Strategic Military Doctrine: Asymmetric, Exportable, Agile

    Turkey’s emerging doctrine can be summarized as “Agile Strategic Presence”:

    • Exportable Firepower: Drones, missiles, and electronic systems designed for “plug-and-play” use by allies and proxies
    • Hybrid Warfare: Combines conventional operations with proxies (e.g., Syrian militias), drones, cyber ops, and psychological warfare
    • Strategic Basing: Establishing forward bases without requiring full occupation—training partners, guarding ports, building schools and airfields

    V. Strategic Recommendations: How Turkey Can Solidify Gulf Influence

    1. Expand Naval Presence into Western Gulf
      • Leverage Qatar to co-develop naval facilities
      • Introduce drone naval platforms in Hormuz-Red Sea corridor
    2. Create a Turkish-Gulf Defense Education Exchange
      • Offer military academies in Africa and Asia under Turkish branding
      • Counterbalance Western training programs with Islamic-friendly curriculum
    3. Cyber-Islamic Coalition
      • Build digital alliances with Muslim-majority countries (Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan) using shared AI, cyberdefense, and drone doctrine
      • Present this as a “non-aligned Islamic defense bloc”
    4. Weaponize Infrastructure
      • Package military presence with hospitals, mosques, infrastructure deals
      • Lock in multi-domain loyalty among unstable regimes (Sudan, Djibouti, Libya)

    Table comparison with UAE & Saudi Arabia

    DimensionTurkeyUAESaudi Arabia
    Military DoctrineAgile & Hybrid WarfareTech-first asymmetric deterrenceStrategic autonomy, conventional
    Regional AllyQatar, SomaliaEgypt, Jordan, Israel (informal)Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan
    Defense IndustryDrones, missiles, navalDrones, EW, AI weaponsLand vehicles, missiles, MRO
    Influence MethodProxy warfare + soft powerTech diplomacy + trainingArms deals + economic leverage

    Sidenote: Hi guys, im trying my best to pump out the content. Life has been hectic lately.

  • The Gulf Ascendant: How the UAE and Saudi Arabia Are Building the Middle East’s Most Advanced Militaries

    The Gulf Ascendant: How the UAE and Saudi Arabia Are Building the Middle East’s Most Advanced Militaries

    Saudi Arabia Charting Future Defense Policy - USNI News

    The UAE and Saudi Arabia are transforming from traditional petro-monarchies into digitally networked, defense-forward states with long-term military ambitions. Their modernization is not just about defense — it’s about regional leadership, autonomy from Western dependency, and influence projection.

    I. From Client States to Military Innovators

    Traditionally reliant on U.S. and European military guarantees, both Saudi Arabia and the UAE are now pursuing a doctrine of self-sufficiency and defense industrialization, motivated by:

    • Iranian proxy threats (Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon)
    • Western ambivalence post-Afghanistan
    • Need to control key choke points: Hormuz, Bab al-Mandeb, Red Sea

    The Strategic Shift: From defence importers to regional exporters of military influence and tech.

    II. UAE: The Laboratory of Future Warfare

    The United Arab Emirates is rapidly becoming the Israel of the Gulf—a small, tech-savvy state with asymmetric military power.

    EDGE Significantly Expands Cyber Capabilities to Include Secure  Communications Solutions | EDGE

    Key initiatives:

    1. EDGE Group and Defence Startups

    • Consolidated over 25 military companies into one umbrella group (EDGE).
    • Focus areas:
      • Autonomous systems (e.g., REACH-S, swarming drones)
      • AI battlefield software
      • Electronic warfare tools
      • Smart munitions (designed for extreme desert combat)

    2. Global Influence Through Tech Diplomacy

    • UAE is selling drones and EW systems to countries like Algeria, Egypt, and even Indonesia.
    • Training programs for African and Southeast Asian forces, leveraging soft power.

    🔹 Key Doctrine: Agile Deterrence

    • Lightweight, mobile forces supported by drones, cyber, and mercenaries (notably via connections with Wagner-linked contractors).
    • Focus on speed, intelligence, and deniability rather than large force footprints.

    III. Saudi Arabia: From Oil Wealth to Defense Sovereignty

    Saudi Arabia is undergoing its largest-ever military reform under the Vision 2030 plan. The goal: 50% of all defense spending to be local by 2030.

    Saudi Arabian Military Industries Co. (SAMI) - Saudipedia

    🔹 The Rise of SAMI (Saudi Arabian Military Industries)

    • Partnering with global defense giants (Lockheed Martin, Rheinmetall, Thales)
    • Manufacturing:
      • Ballistic missile defense systems
      • Land vehicles (Al-Fahd armored cars)
      • Long-range UAVs
    • Establishing local drone design capabilities and guided missile production lines

    🔹 Strategic Military Infrastructure

    • Building naval bases on both Red Sea and Arabian Gulf
    • Expanding missile and UAV storage silos near key oil and desalination infrastructure
    • Acquiring THAAD and Patriot batteries while working on local missile defense layers
    Saudi Naval Base in Jubail prepares tender for infrastructure buildup: MEED  | Arab News

    🔹 Key Doctrine: Strategic Autonomy

    • Less reliance on U.S. basing, more focus on regional coalitions (GCC+, Red Sea Pact)
    • Shadow warfare against Iranian proxies across Yemen, Syria, and Iraq
    • Joint military exercises with China, Pakistan, and Egypt to diversify partnerships

    IV. Common Gulf Trends to Watch

    Drone Warfare Doctrine

    • Use of AI-coordinated drone swarms for urban and desert warfare
    • Counter-drone technology (SkyKnight, EW towers, AI-based targeting)
    Skyknight (missile) - Wikipedia

    Cyber & AI Integration

    • UAE’s Cyber Defense Council and Saudi’s SDAIA working on military-grade threat analysis
    • Integration of biometric, SIGINT, and OSINT into real-time battlefield data feeds

    Privatized and Hybrid Warfare

    • Increasing reliance on PMCs and foreign advisors (e.g., South African, Colombian mercenaries)
    • Covert ops capacity enhanced by private funding and plausible deniability

    V. Strategic Recommendations: How UAE & Saudi Arabia Can Optimize Further

    1. Gulf Military Cloud Infrastructure
      • Invest in sovereign battlefield cloud infrastructure to fuse satellite, drone, and cyber data into a single AI platform.
      • Reduce lag and increase predictive strike capabilities.
    2. Localized War Gaming Facilities
      • Build combined arms simulation environments for drone vs drone warfare, AI decision trees, and swarm tactics.
    3. Soft Power through Security Exports
      • Position military exports as a tool of foreign policy.
      • Build Gulf-funded defense academies in Africa & Southeast Asia.
    4. Space-Based Early Warning
      • Invest in Lagrange point satellite coverage to gain early-warning edge over Iranian missile launches and regional conflicts.

  • France Boosts Defense Spending: Key Priorities for 2025

    France Boosts Defense Spending: Key Priorities for 2025

    France's arms heartland tiptoes into the war economy – POLITICO
    KNDS Group arms expo.

    Hello everyone, a buying trend is starting in Europe. Many countries are spending more into defence and arms in response to the Russian-Ukraine war.

    France has placed a record defence budget of €47.2 billion for 2025 alone. With its goals to exceed 2% of its GDP to align with NATO commitments France has spending priorities which I will touch on.

    🇫🇷 Spending Priorities

    1. Modernize the nuclear deterrent (air and submarine-based)
    2. Replenish munitions & stocks (lacking after Ukraine lessons)
    3. Upgrade armoured forces (Scorpion program)
    4. Expand drone, cyber, and space capabilities
    5. Strengthen overseas deployments (esp. in the Indo-Pacific)
    France's Nuclear-Weapons Policy: What's in It for Europe? - ICDS

    France’s “Force de frappe ” (‘Strike Force’)remains the backbone of national sovereignty.

    • Maintaining an independent nuclear deterrent is non-negotiable in French 🇫🇷 grand strategy.
    • Spending priorities include:
      • Upgrading M51 SLBM missiles on its four Triomphant-class SSBNs (submarines)
      • Modernizing the ASMPA-R nuclear air-launched missile carried by Rafales
      • Sustaining the dedicated infrastructure at the Île Longue nuclear submarine base
      • Research on next-generation nuclear warheads

    Cold War Era kit replacement

    France is replacing Cold War–era kit with next-generation assets:

    🦂 SCORPION Program (Army)

    • Replaces old VAB armored vehicles with Griffon, Jaguar, Serval
    • Integrated with SICS (Scorpion combat info system) for networked warfare
    • Boosts mobility, survivability, and sensor-to-shooter speed
    Griffon MEPAC 120mm mortar carrier

    MBTs & Artillery

    • Refurbishing Leclerc tanks
    • Investing in the next-generation MGCS tank with Germany (though facing delays)
    • New Caesar 6×6 and 8×8 self-propelled artillery upgrades

    Precision Munitions

    • Stocks of AASM Hammer bombs
    • Meteor air-to-air missiles
    • MMP (medium-range anti-tank missile)
    • Large munitions stockpiles after seeing Ukraine’s burn rates

    🌍 Overseas Posture & Infrastructure

    Military exercise, involving 12 countries, is underway in French Polynesia  | RNZ News

    France has permanent forces in:

    • French Polynesia
    • New Caledonia
    • Djibouti
    • French Guiana
    • UAE (Abu Dhabi airbase)

    Spending priorities include:
    1. Modernising these outposts
    2. Prepositioned stocks
    3. Hardened airfields
    4. Satellite comms for global force projection
    This is part of France’s ambition to be a global (not just European) military power.

    🏛️ Strategic Summary

    France’s spending priorities reflect:

    A) A nuclear-armed sovereign deterrent (cannot rely on the U.S. alone)
    B) High-intensity peer conflict preparedness (no more purely counterinsurgency kit)
    C) Expeditionary reach (Indo-Pacific, Africa)
    D) Resilience (stockpiles, industrial base)
    E) Technology edge (cyber, drones, precision weapons, AI)

  • Navigating Germany’s Ammunition Crisis and Defense Goals

    Navigating Germany’s Ammunition Crisis and Defense Goals

    Germany surges to fourth largest global military spender: SIPRI - Breaking  Defense
    A ceremony involving the Bundeswehr

    Germany is currently facing issues in force generation. With a goal of having 203,000 active troops by 2031, it is possible that they achieve that target.

    Current active troops as of 31st March 2025 of 182,000 troops means that they have to draw upon another 21,000 troops in a span of 6 years.

    Taking into consideration troops that resign or retire, incentives to recruit more from the younger population are being observed.

    Defence Spending Skyrockets

    Under-equipped German army gets 100 billion euro makeover
    Panzerhaubitze 2000 firing

    Germany has announced a €100 billion fund to raise its defence spending to 2% of its GDP. It raises the question on whether the country is able to solve its own internal problems.

    Germany currently faces procurement paralysis, industrial underinvestment and energy challenges. Ammo such as high-explosive artillery shells are in short supply due to the Ukraine war.

    I will put more focus on its ammunition shortfall as it sums up all the issues that Germany faces.

    The country had supplied Ukraine with tons of ammo resulting in a reserve of only 20,00 shells. With a plan to implement €21.4 billion into its ammo reserves by 2031, Germany aims to solve its weak supply chains.

    UK to speed up military kit deliveries to support Ukraine's fight - GOV.UK
    Ukraine Artillery Pieces

    Germany imports most of its ammo from China which is unreliable in event of a war breaking out. Shipping times will cause delays and in a time where speed is what decides who wins, it is important to close up the gap.

    Focus on investing in its domestic production is underway. With companies like Rheinmetall, expanding its factories. Facing rare earth and explosive components shortages, expanding is difficult.

    Gen-Z refusing to fight?

    In anti-establishment era, German youth opt for status quo: Angela Merkel -  CSMonitor.com

    Germany has a birth rate issue. With 1.35 children per woman in 2023, not many are willing to pick up a weapon. Competition is fierce with civilian labor markets.

    There is a saying from WW2, “Every Soldier requires 7 in logistics”. Having a necessary workforce to support 203,000 troops will be a challenge.

    Germany also faces a barracks capacity problem. Having a bunch of soldiers is useless if there is no place for them to sleep.

    I would not be surprised if Germany were to bring back conscription to boost numbers with enough support.

    To sum up the potential,

    If Germany can restructure it has :
    1. a solid industrial base,
    2. vast financial resources,
    3. strong alliances,
    — and can recover its defence strength within 5–7 years, especially in combined NATO frameworks.

    Time will tell if Germany can build the necessary support systems to field an active army of 203,000 troops in these uncertain times.

    Blog Talk

    Hi guys, this is my fourth blog post since starting, I am getting the hang of it, will improve more as i pump out the content. Il probably delve into military intelligence next or whatever comes up in these turbulent times.

    If anyone wants to reach out to connect feel free to contact me 🙂

    Disclaimer Time!: I am not a professional, all my writings are my own personal opinion. Nothing I say should be taken as financial advice.

  • How Drones Are Revolutionizing Combat Strategies

    High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical-dazzler and Surveillance -  Wikipedia

    With reference to my previous blog on the Iron Dome system, I would like to delve into the ever-changing landscape of warfare with the introduction of laser systems, drones and the impact of them into defence systems infrastructure.

    Laser Systems – Cost effective Defences?

    How Ukraine soldiers use inexpensive commercial drones on the battlefield |  PBS News

    The main advantage of laser systems over traditional missile defence systems are mainly in cost per firing. Having a low cost per firing at US$2 – US$10 versus a Tamir interceptor firing at $50,000 or even a Patriot Missile at US$3-US$4 million, it is a no brainer on why advanced militaries such as the U.S are looking into it.

    Laser systems help flip the cost-inefficient attrition of defending against low cost attack modes such as drones into a sustainable high volume defence force. Arguably the cost to train personal to operate and maintain such a defence is also a net gain towards saving dollars.

    Currently, the Iron Beam system is projected to target smaller munitions such as drones to a distance of up to 10km. A far cry from the Tamir’s 150 square kilometer radius, however with the pace of technology evolving i find that this is not a big issue in terms of scalabality.

    Countermeasures: Mother Nature, fog, rain and smoke are some uncontrollable ways that reduce laser system’s combat effectiveness. Theoretically, if an enemy wants to increase their chances of breaking through such defences, they could have an smoke artillery barrage around the surrounding systems and quickly lead up with a drone attack.

    If a country were to be dependent on laser systems, their power stations and electrical grid will be key targets of attack as well, leading to more passive defences having to be placed around said infrastructure.

    Drone Warfare

    Russia is seeking more attack drones from Iran after depleting stockpile,  White House says | PBS News

    As seen in the Ukraine-Russian War, drone warfare is in its infancy. Intelligence gathering, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) once limited to the U.S UAV series is now widely available to even the smallest of paramilitaries.

    Drones offer precision strikes along with swarm attacks whilst being cheap to produce and offering close to zero risk of danger to its operators.

    Defending against such threats does not come cheap. With current tech, active defences such as interceptor missiles are expensive. Trying to counter drones with foot soldiers with shotguns (duck hunting experience preferred) is not feasible either.

    Right now, it remains to be seen on who can perfect the drone swarm advantage and which country can produce the first cost effective defence and adopt to the doctrine the fastest.

    Nation Defences

    If I were advising a defence ministry, I would propose:

    1. Build a counter-drone layered defence with lasers, jammers, and AI fire control
    2. Train civilian drone reserves for local ISR
    3. Stockpile cheap expendable drones for surge wartime use
    4. Harden comms against jamming and GNSS denial
    5. Integrate drones with existing artillery and air power for coordinated multi-domain operations
    6. Start building swarm doctrines for both attack and defense

    Usage of cheap defences such as camouflage netting for hiding key defence points, underground shelters for troops and counter drone tactics are the way i would minimise my losses in event of a war

    Thanks for reading, Im still getting used to wordpress and formatting my blog, if anyone has any tips do not hesitate and reach out to me! i wont bite promise!

    Disclaimer time!: I am not a professional, all my writings are my own personal opinion. Nothing I say should be taken as financial advice.