The 8th edition of the Vauban Sessions, organised jointly by the 1st French Corps and Forward Global, focused on the theme “Land Forces 2045”. Held under the patronage of the French Army Chief of Staff, the event gathered senior military leaders from NATO, the European Union, and national armed forces to discuss the future of land warfare.

Representatives from 20 NATO member states attended, including around 50 general officers and the Swedish Army Chief of Staff. The discussions highlighted the profound transformation of modern warfare, driven by rapid technological acceleration, the growing centrality of data, and the enduring importance of human resilience and operational mass.

Transparency, Attrition, and the Return of Mass

A major theme of the conference was the increasing “transparency” of the battlefield. The widespread use of low-cost technologies such as FPV drones, field sensors, loitering munitions, and advanced satellite observation systems has significantly increased the visibility of military activities.

Traditional concentrations of force — including headquarters, logistics hubs, and troop formations — are now highly vulnerable to rapid detection and precision strikes. As a result, armed forces must adopt more dispersed, mobile, and adaptive operational structures while maintaining effective command and communication capabilities.

Survivability increasingly depends on reducing operational signatures, decentralising activities, and integrating protective measures such as anti-drone systems and advanced camouflage.

The discussions also emphasised the return of “mass” as a decisive factor in high-intensity warfare. Recent conflicts have demonstrated that attrition remains central to military operations. Sustained combat requires not only advanced technologies but also robust logistics, significant stockpiles, and the capacity to regenerate forces over time.

This requirement presents major challenges for Western societies facing demographic decline and growing competition for skilled personnel in fields such as cyber operations, software engineering, and drone warfare. Several participants noted that reserve systems, volunteer programmes, and even forms of conscription may need to be reconsidered.

From Network-Centric Warfare to Data-Centric Operations

The conference identified a fundamental transition from traditional network-centric warfare toward data-centric military operations.

Where previous interoperability models depended on shared communication systems and compatible infrastructures, future military architectures are expected to rely on decentralised digital ecosystems built around open architectures and rapid data exchange.

In this emerging environment, sensors, platforms, and weapon systems will be interconnected dynamically across domains and national boundaries. Information collected by one system could immediately be exploited by another, significantly compressing targeting and decision-making timelines.

Artificial intelligence is playing an increasingly central role in this transformation. AI systems can process massive volumes of information, identify patterns, and support commanders with actionable insights. However, participants stressed that AI must remain a support tool rather than replacing human judgment.

Despite advances in software and algorithms, robotics and physical automation continue to face important limitations, especially in complex environments such as urban terrain.

“Tomorrow, the battle will be around data, the capability to reach data, analyse it, put it together, and act before your adversary does.”

Human Capacity and the Limits of Technology

While technology offers significant operational advantages, the discussions repeatedly stressed the importance of the human factor.

Future systems must be designed not only for performance but also for usability under extreme stress conditions. Excessively complex technologies risk overwhelming operators and creating cognitive overload during combat operations.

Autonomous and semi-autonomous systems can enhance operational effectiveness, but they must support rather than burden soldiers and commanders. The objective is to augment human capabilities while preserving clarity, control, and responsibility in decision-making.

Participants also highlighted the importance of physical and psychological resilience. Future combat environments are expected to expose personnel to continuous stress and persistent threats, making force protection and endurance essential components of military capability.

This evolution will require new approaches to training and education, with greater emphasis on technological literacy, critical thinking, and understanding the limitations of automated systems.

Interoperability, Industry, and Societal Integration

Interoperability emerged as an operational necessity for future military operations.

Participants noted that interoperability extends beyond technical compatibility. Shared doctrine, common operational understanding, and effective communication under pressure are equally important.

The discussions also warned against excessive standardisation, arguing for a balanced approach that preserves national flexibility while ensuring operational coherence within multinational coalitions.

“Interoperability is no longer a technical ambition but an operational necessity.”

The conference underlined the need to transform traditional defence procurement models. Long acquisition cycles and rigid specifications are increasingly incompatible with the pace of technological evolution.

Instead, military capabilities should evolve through iterative development models allowing continuous software updates and modular upgrades. Closer cooperation between armed forces, defence industries, SMEs, and civilian technology companies will be essential to accelerate innovation.

Beyond the military-industrial relationship, participants advocated for a broader “whole-of-society” approach to defence. Long-term resilience depends not only on armed forces but also on secure supply chains, industrial capacity, infrastructure protection, and societal cohesion.

Conclusion — Shaping the Forces of 2045

The overarching conclusion of the Vauban Sessions 2026 was that future warfare cannot be predicted precisely, but the strategic choices made today will shape the military capabilities of 2045.

Military planners must prepare for a wide spectrum of scenarios, ranging from high-intensity conflict to hybrid operations and sub-threshold confrontations. Technological disruption is transforming the tempo and conduct of military operations, but doctrines, organisations, and concepts of employment often evolve more slowly.

Future forces must therefore be technologically advanced while remaining adaptable, resilient, and capable of operating across multiple domains and operational contexts.

The discussions concluded that success in future warfare will depend on balancing innovation with practicality, speed with control, and technological advancement with human judgment.

“The aim is not to predict 2045 precisely, but to shape the route towards it.”