The New Form of Warfare Demonstrated by Ukraine's AI Drones: What Does It Mean for Japan?

The New Form of Warfare Brought by Ukraine's AI Drones

In Ukraine, drones utilizing AI technology are gaining attention. These drones, employing fiber optic technology, achieve high-precision attacks and are seen as a potential countermeasure against Vladimir Putin.

"You can feel that this war has changed," reports WELT.

This technology is believed to have the potential to fundamentally change the nature of warfare. What impact will the innovations of Ukraine's AI drones have on Japan?

The Current State of AI and Drone Technology in Japan

Low-cost, mass-deployed drones pose a threat of saturating interception systems, widening the asymmetry with the interception costs of Aegis ships and PAC-3. The Self-Defense Forces need to urgently integrate unmanned systems, directed energy weapons, and electronic jamming into a multi-layered defense. Neighboring countries are also rapidly adopting this technology, making it essential to revamp strategies for surprise attacks and reconnaissance by small AI machines in the defense of the southwestern islands and sea lanes.

As a countermeasure, it is worth considering the "AI-ization of defense" with affordable interceptor drone swarms and fiber-optic powered defensive drones. To prevent the technology gap from widening, Japan must leverage its domestic industrial base and establish a rapid prototyping and demonstration cycle by linking universities, startups, and the defense industry.

At the same time, autonomous attacks by AI carry risks of misfires and ethical issues. Japan should play an active role in creating international norms, advocating for transparency in ALAWS (Autonomous Lethal Weapons) and clarifying accountability. The battlefield in Ukraine has become a testing ground where the "future is advanced" in both military technology and legal norms. Japan must urgently develop a comprehensive national strategy that balances deterrence and humanity, learning from these lessons.

Lessons for Japan

Ukraine's AI drone technology provides important insights for Japan's defense and technological development. Japan must also advance the development of new technologies using AI to maintain its advantage in international technological competition.

For more details on Ukraine's drone technology, see Merkur.