Search on Ifri.org

About Ifri

Frequent searches

Suggestions

Weapons and Defense Technology

Description

Today's armies are increasingly defined by their ability to innovate and integrate cutting-edge technologies such as cyberweapons, space systems, drones and artificial intelligence, all of which pose new operational and ethical challenges for combatants.

Related Subjects

Image Taxonomie
Military use of aerial drones in the army. A soldier engineer holds an automatic quadrocopter in his hands.
See all
Publications
Press
Watch and listen

NATO: 75 Years of Strategic Solidarity (replay)

03 October 2024
Accroche

The war in Ukraine, burden-sharing between Allies, U.S. disengagement from Europe, new areas of conflict... At a time when the Alliance has just celebrated its 75th anniversary and the Stoltenberg era is drawing to a close after ten years at the head of the organization, NATO's agenda bears witness to the diversity of its areas of action, as well as to the different perceptions of the Allies on these issues.

In the wake of the Washington summit, this conference of diplomats, military officers and researchers aims to analyze the short- and medium-term prospects for the Atlantic Alliance.

Logo
businessnews.png

France is already sending an armored ‘oddity’ to Ukraine. Now this can send a little odd.

13 March 2023
Accroche

France may send Ukraine its AMX-10Ps, an amphibious infantry fighting vehicle that was phased out of service by the French army nearly a decade ago.

Logo
newlinesmagazine_logo.jpeg

Exclusive: Western Intelligence Fears New Russian Sat-Nav’s Espionage Capabilities

12 July 2021
Accroche

GLONASS, Moscow’s answer to GPS, is set to launch an upgraded satellite network later this year, which it hopes to sell to the U.S. and Europe. Buyer beware.

Logo
baev_pavel_nb.jpg

Missiles of March: A political means of last resort for Putin

07 March 2018
Accroche

President Vladimir Putin’s extra-heavy emphasis on new strategic missile systems in his March 1 address to parliament was quite unexpected and rather out of character.

Where is the U.S. nuclear arsenal headed?

18 October 2017
Accroche

An interview with Jon WOLFSTHAL, nonresident scholar, Nuclear Policy Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Image principale

EUDIS, HEDI, DIANA: What's behind Three Defense Innovation Acronyms?

Date de publication
25 September 2024
Accroche

In Europe, with Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine showing little sign of abating, a persistent gap remains between security needs and defense spending. According to a 2006 commitment enshrined at the 2014 Wales NATO summit, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members should disburse no less than 2% of their national gross domestic product (GDP) on defense, out of which 20% is to be spent on equipment and research and development. In 2024, only 23 Allies out of 32 are expected to meet or exceed this target, though a significant improvement from only three in 2014. This total includes the United States (US) devoting 3.38% of its GDP to defense, constituting almost 70% of all NATO member defense spending combined. 

Image principale

2024: A Pivotal Year for the Space Sector?

Date de publication
21 November 2023
Accroche

2024 could be a pivotal year for space exploration. New launchers are set to make their first flight, satellite constellations and other trends  promise to redefine the way space is explored and exploited.

Image principale

China in the Race to Low Earth Orbit: Perspectives on the Future Internet Constellation Guowang

Date de publication
27 April 2023
Accroche

In April 2021, the Chinese government officially, but rather quietly, established a new state-owned enterprise (SOE) named China SatNet. Its mission: build out China’s “mega-constellation” program for low Earth orbiting internet satellites, known as Guowang (“national network”).

Image principale

How the War in Ukraine is Changing the Space Game

Date de publication
28 February 2023
Accroche

The war in Ukraine has become a showcase for the new commercial paradigm emerging in the space sector (New Space). As such, it seems to confirm the relevance of adaptation efforts led by the United States – more specifically the Pentagon – since the mid-2010s.

Image principale

EUDIS, HEDI, DIANA: What's behind Three Defense Innovation Acronyms?

Date de publication
25 September 2024
Accroche

In Europe, with Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine showing little sign of abating, a persistent gap remains between security needs and defense spending. According to a 2006 commitment enshrined at the 2014 Wales NATO summit, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members should disburse no less than 2% of their national gross domestic product (GDP) on defense, out of which 20% is to be spent on equipment and research and development. In 2024, only 23 Allies out of 32 are expected to meet or exceed this target, though a significant improvement from only three in 2014. This total includes the United States (US) devoting 3.38% of its GDP to defense, constituting almost 70% of all NATO member defense spending combined. 

Image principale

Hypersonic Weapons: What Are the Challenges for the Armed Forces?

Date de publication
18 June 2021
Accroche

Hypersonic systems are becoming attributes of power for the states that design and implement them, at the risk of reviving an arms race.

Image principale

The European Equation of Nuclear Deterrence, Variables and Possible Solutions

Date de publication
06 July 2020
Accroche

Ever since nuclear weapons were developed by the United States and the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics, Europe has lived under the nuclear shadow. A major direct confrontation between “the West” and “the East” could have very likely resulted in the detonation of nuclear weapons on the continent. As the Cold War ended, massive reductions in the US and Soviet arsenals (from 70,300 in 1986 to 13,890 in 2019) and a new security architecture radically transformed the European security environment.

Image principale

The Gulf Monarchies' Armed Forces at the Crossroads

Date de publication
04 May 2018
Accroche

Something is happening with the military forces of the Arab monarchies in the Gulf.

Image principale

The NPT and the Origins of NATO’s Nuclear Sharing Arrangements

Date de publication
07 February 2017
Accroche

Russia has recently accused the United States and NATO Allies of violating the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) by arguing that NATO's nuclear sharing arrangements are not permitted under the Treaty.

Governing the Geostationary Orbit: Orbital Slots and Spectrum Use in an Era of Interference

Date de publication
20 January 2014
Accroche

Outer space, particularly in the telecommunication sector, is benefiting and becoming accessible to more and more actors. But with this trend comes also a reality that is every day more compelling: no meaningful development can be achieved without a clear, stable and predictable interference-free environment for the use and control of all satellites that depend upon ready access to radio frequencies and appropriate geostationary orbital slots to function properly.

The Battle over Fire Support: The CAS Challenge and the Future of Artillery

Date de publication
04 November 2012
Accroche

Traditionally, maneuver units are designed for mobility and control of the ground, while supporting forces (artillery, aviation) deliver fires to protect the former and ensure their freedom of action.

Deterring the Weak: Problems and Prospects

Date de publication
08 October 2012
Accroche

Strong states often fail to deter vastly weaker competitors. This paper explores some reasons of this failure and identifies factors that can increase the prospects that deterrence will succeed in these situations.

Cruise Missiles and NATO Missile Defense: Under the Radar?

Date de publication
11 April 2012
Accroche

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that the threat of cruise missile proliferation is as equally challenging to NATO as the threat of ballistic missiles. Over the last two decades, the emergence of cruise missiles and UAVs as a threat has been slow, and governments, particularly the United States, have invested much less in cruise missile defenses than in ballistic missile defenses.

Helicopter Warfare: The Future of Airmobility and Rotary Wing Combat.

Date de publication
06 February 2012
Accroche

Military helicopters have evolved into technologically sophisticated weapon systems. Originally designed to counter Soviet armor, attack helicopters now have to cope with a wide spectrum of threats, some of them bringing them back to their counterinsurgency roots.

Logo
businessnews.png

France is already sending an armored ‘oddity’ to Ukraine. Now this can send a little odd.

13 March 2023
Accroche

France may send Ukraine its AMX-10Ps, an amphibious infantry fighting vehicle that was phased out of service by the French army nearly a decade ago.

Logo
newlinesmagazine_logo.jpeg

Exclusive: Western Intelligence Fears New Russian Sat-Nav’s Espionage Capabilities

12 July 2021
Accroche

GLONASS, Moscow’s answer to GPS, is set to launch an upgraded satellite network later this year, which it hopes to sell to the U.S. and Europe. Buyer beware.

Logo
baev_pavel_nb.jpg

Missiles of March: A political means of last resort for Putin

07 March 2018
Accroche

President Vladimir Putin’s extra-heavy emphasis on new strategic missile systems in his March 1 address to parliament was quite unexpected and rather out of character.

NATO: 75 Years of Strategic Solidarity (replay)

03 October 2024
Accroche

The war in Ukraine, burden-sharing between Allies, U.S. disengagement from Europe, new areas of conflict... At a time when the Alliance has just celebrated its 75th anniversary and the Stoltenberg era is drawing to a close after ten years at the head of the organization, NATO's agenda bears witness to the diversity of its areas of action, as well as to the different perceptions of the Allies on these issues.

In the wake of the Washington summit, this conference of diplomats, military officers and researchers aims to analyze the short- and medium-term prospects for the Atlantic Alliance.

Where is the U.S. nuclear arsenal headed?

18 October 2017
Accroche

An interview with Jon WOLFSTHAL, nonresident scholar, Nuclear Policy Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Support independent French research

Ifri, a foundation recognized as being of public utility, relies largely on private donors – companies and individuals – to guarantee its sustainability and intellectual independence. Through their funding, donors help maintain the Institute's position among the world's leading think tanks. By benefiting from an internationally recognized network and expertise, donors refine their understanding of geopolitical risk and its consequences on global politics and the economy. In 2024, Ifri will support more than 70 French and foreign companies and organizations.

Ramses Conference, 2024
Page image credits
Aerial Drone
© Parilov/Shutterstock