Military drones are not miracle weapons, but they have become an increasingly important part of modern warfare. This was the central message of the first lecture of the 2025/2026 spring semester at Ludovika Free University, held at the National University of Public Service Educational Center.
Lieutenant Colonel Zsolt Végvári, adjunct at the Department of Military Technology, NKE Faculty of Military Science and Officer Training, presented on The Present and Future of Military Drones in the Context of the Russia-Ukraine War.
A drone is defined as a pilotless aerial vehicle. The first turbine-powered drone was used in 1952 for reconnaissance during the Cold War. The field gained new momentum in the 1990s with advances in electronics. Today, drones have become a standalone branch of military operations, with rapid growth on both sides of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Drones now handle reconnaissance at operational and tactical levels, revealing troop movements almost instantly. This has made traditional heavy armored units less relevant on the front lines, creating “death zones” dominated by drones. Despite gradual improvements, drones will not remain miracle weapons indefinitely, as counter-drone technologies are developing in parallel.
Text: Sarnyai Tibor
Source: Ludovika Szabadegyetem
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