Drones – A Credible Enabler Challenging the Hegemony of Artillery in Current and Future Conflicts

This article explores how unmanned aerial systems (UAVs) are reshaping the tactical and strategic dynamics of modern warfare by evaluating their potential to rival traditional artillery in medium- and high-intensity conflicts. Using a mixed-method approach and comparative analysis of recent conflicts, it introduces a framework to assess UAVs against conventional artillery based on criteria like accuracy, cost-efficiency, mobility, survivability, and integration within the kill chain. The research reveals a growing doctrinal alignment between UAVs and artillery, suggesting not a full replacement, but a redefined role for artillery within multi-domain operations. It also examines the key vulnerabilities of UAVs in electronically contested environments and analyzes the logistical and doctrinal challenges of shifting toward a force structure centered on autonomous and semi-autonomous systems. Overall, the study supports an integrated vision of future warfare, underlining the urgent need for institutional and doctrinal adaptation to keep pace with rapid technological advancements in the military sphere.