The Future of Warfare: Low-Intensity Conflicts and the Rise of Unmanned Systems
12 pages · PDF · 27 May 2025 · Licensed single-user copy, watermarked to the buyer
Strategic Artificial Intelligence, Big Data & Analytics Autonomous Systems, Robotics & Swarms Space, Satellites, Launchers & PNT Cyber Defense, Information Security & Cryptography Advanced Sensors, Radar, Lidar & Optronics
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What this report covers
Technologies: Artificial Intelligence, Big Data & Analytics, Autonomous Systems, Robotics & Swarms, Space, Satellites, Launchers & PNT, Cyber Defense, Information Security & Cryptography, Advanced Sensors, Radar, Lidar & Optronics. A sourced, structured 12-page analysis for European defence and dual-use decision-makers, from the DFM research desk and built on official and primary sources.
About this report
Warfare in the 21st century is undergoing a profound transformation. Modern conflicts are increasingly defined by low-intensity engagements – protracted insurgencies, proxy wars, and hybrid confrontations – rather than massive set-piece battles. At the same time, unmanned and autonomous systems (especially drones) have leapt from experimental status to central roles on the battlefield.
These trends are reshaping military strategy and procurement as nations adapt to new threats and technologies. Armed forces worldwide are rethinking how they fight, while defense industries and tech companies race to develop the tools of tomorrow’s wars.
Key questions this report answers
- How is the shift toward low-intensity conflicts, protracted insurgencies, proxy wars and hybrid confrontations reshaping military strategy and force design?
- How have unmanned and autonomous systems moved from experimental status to central battlefield roles, and what does that demand of procurement?
- What lessons from Ukraine most directly reshape how defence contractors and tech companies prioritise development of unmanned systems?
- How are defence procurement and planning transforming to adapt to low-intensity warfare and drone-centric operations, and what are the industrial implications?
Inside this report
- Introduction
- The Shift Toward Low-Intensity Conflicts
- Unmanned and Autonomous Systems on the Rise
- Reshaping Military Strategy
- Transforming Defense Procurement and Planning
- Industrial Implications: Defense Contractors and Tech Companies Respond
- Geopolitical Considerations and Lessons from Ukraine
- Conclusion
Who it's for
Strategy, corporate-development and investment teams that need an ecosystem-level view — budgets, industrial capacity and technology landscapes — before committing capital or capacity.
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Methodology, format & delivery
DFM reports are built from primary and official sources — TED procurement notices, CORDIS and the EU Funding & Tenders Portal, EIB operations, the NATO Innovation Fund portfolio, SIPRI data, official budget documents and company disclosures — read together with the underlying legal texts. Sources are cited in the document; it reflects them as of its publication date (27 May 2025). You receive a 12-page PDF, watermarked to you on every page, delivered on the confirmation page and by e-mail immediately after checkout (personal link valid 72 hours, up to 5 downloads). Guest checkout, single-user licence — Terms of Sale.
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