The nature of armed conflicts is undergoing a profound shift, marked by the emergence of accessible and highly effective technologies. Drones, sometimes available for a few hundred dollars, are now capable of neutralizing sophisticated defense systems costing millions, said security and defense expert Khaled Aouij.
Speaking on Express Fm on Friday, April 24, 2026, he explained that this evolution is part of an “economic attrition warfare” logic, aiming to weaken the opponent by depleting their financial resources. “The conflict is no longer about means, but about tactics, innovation, and adaptability,” he emphasized.
According to the expert, the main risk lies in the use of drone swarms, launching a large number of devices simultaneously. This strategy saturates air defense systems and complicates their interception, illustrating a major shift in military doctrines from technological sophistication to a volume-based and operationally efficient approach.
In this context, armies are called upon to rethink their models. Khaled Aouij compares traditional military industry to luxury cars, expensive and highly sophisticated, while the realities on the ground now require simpler and more agile solutions, comparable to motorcycles. He highlights that many drones rely on easily accessible civilian components, such as engines or GPS systems, promoting their proliferation, even among non-state actors.
The expert also highlights the growing role of artificial intelligence, which enhances strike accuracy and enables drones to operate in complex environments, including at night or under electronic jamming. He emphasizes the rapid pace of technological advancements, with extremely short innovation cycles, necessitating constant adaptation by the armies.
Beyond these global transformations, Khaled Aouij believes that Tunisia has significant advantages in this field. He notes that the country has been interested in drone technologies since the 1990s and now benefits from engineering skills capable of supporting their development. He calls for the establishment of strong partnerships between the public and private sectors, as well as the implementation of an incentivizing regulatory framework.
According to the expert, Tunisia could position itself as an international platform in drone technology development, provided it relies on a clear political will and strategic vision.
