Commander Of The Netherlands Armed Forces: The War In Ukraine’s Experience Shows How Quickly Drones Are Changing The Battlefield

General Onno Eichelsheim, the Commander of the Netherlands Armed Forces, highlighted at the Future of War conference in Amsterdam that drones are rapidly transforming the battlefield, as evidenced by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. He made this observation during his remarks at the conference, noting that even during his own speech at the same event in 2022, the term "drones" was not mentioned.

Eichelsheim emphasized the rapid pace at which new technology, specifically drones, is altering the nature of combat operations. He stressed the importance of preparing armed forces capable of swiftly learning and adapting to these technological advancements, as traditional methods become obsolete once the enemy gains an advantage.

To achieve this, he called for closer collaboration between combat units, industry, and research institutions, ensuring that lessons learned are quickly integrated into training programs. Furthermore, Eichelsheim underscored the critical need to consider the impact of artificial intelligence on decision-making processes, particularly in the context of warfare.

He stressed that while technology increasingly assumes a larger role in determining force usage, human responsibility must remain paramount in this regard.