The need for an integrated model of smart warfare

Abstract

Unfortunately, the war in Ukraine and many other events or processes taking place all over the world show us that perhaps there can be no smart peace unless we are ready to fight a smart war. Both against conventional or unconventional enemies, both regarding symmetrical or asymmetrical warfare. And if we are beginning to see our society in terms of smart governance, smart education, smart economy or smart people, which means we see it in terms of smart peace and smart society, then there is definitely the need to see war and conflict in an integrated, compact vision of smart war. We use observation to point out how a large series of contemporary events and processes, starting from cybersecurity issues, aerial, terrestrial, or maritime drones, electronic warfare equipment meant to counter these drones, propaganda, and disinformation easily spread through rapid smart means of worldwide mass communication, and of course, Artificial Intelligence, microprocessors, or fledgling space warfare where satellites can be used to attack rival satellites, need to be addressed in an inclusive, integrated conceptual approach of smart warfare focused on the future and not as separate events or developments patched up upon conventional warfare equipment or thinking. We need to understand that “smartness” is all about peace, but all about war as well, if we want a smart peace to last or if we want to be able to defend it, as Romania has a definitely defensive strategy. We are building a smart peace, but we have to prepare for a smart war as well.