Artificial intelligence and autonomous systems reshape global military tactics

Nexus Europa Newsroom
Posted Aug 19, 2026, 05:30 PM UTC · In the digest of 2026-08-19-1730
Artificial intelligence and autonomous systems reshape global military tactics
Photo: The Insider

Artificial intelligence and automated technologies are transforming military operations across Ukraine, Russia, and China amid rapid hardware innovation.

Advancements in artificial intelligence and automation are increasingly steering global defense strategies. Former Ukrainian defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov described the confrontation with Russia as a "technological war," emphasizing the necessity of continuous innovation in unmanned systems and robotics. Eric Schmidt, the former chief executive of Google and founder of defense technology startup Perennial Autonomy, stated that the conflict in Ukraine has driven one of the most significant revolutions in military history.

Simultaneously, military hardware across global powers is shifting toward computational autonomy. Ukrainian military intelligence reported finding US-made microcomputers in modern Russian missiles, signaling potential AI targeting capabilities. Meanwhile, China's military has introduced automated platforms to plan and coordinate synchronized air assaults. Despite these technical leaps, operational limitations persist, including ongoing restrictions by SpaceX preventing Ukrainian forces from utilizing Starlink satellite connectivity for targeting strikes inside Russian territory.

Sources: Liga net, NEXTA, NV, Point, The Insider

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