Ukraine and Iran wars show how AI and drones are reshaping combat

In short: The wars in Ukraine and Iran suggest that the tools and pace of fighting are changing fast because of AI, drones, and constant tracking, but war itself is not “over.”

What's going on

In Ukraine, small and relatively cheap drones are everywhere. They spot targets, guide artillery, and sometimes crash into vehicles to destroy them. Ukraine is also working on drones that can recognize tanks and other vehicles using AI (software that learns patterns from data, like how a phone can recognize a face).

Another change is that the battlefield is easier to see. Commercial satellites, sensors, and videos shared online make it harder to hide troops and equipment. That means command posts and supply routes, not just front lines, can be found and hit more often.

In the 2026 Iran war, analysts describe a major increase in AI-assisted targeting at large scale. As of 9 April 2026, AI-supported systems had reportedly been used to help pick or review more than 13,000 targets. The key shift is speed, AI can sort through many streams of information quickly, shrinking the time between spotting something and striking it.

These wars also highlight “cheap mass.” A drone that costs thousands of dollars can damage equipment worth millions. It is like using a low-cost tool to break a very expensive machine, which changes how countries think about what to buy and how much to produce.

What to watch

Governments may spend more on air defenses, electronic warfare (tools that block or confuse signals), and large-scale manufacturing of drones and sensors. At the same time, these conflicts suggest old basics still matter, including supplies, alliances, and clear political goals.

Source: NYTimes