Iran studied Ukraine war to sharpen drones and AI before U.S. operation
A Ukrainian servicemember with a drone (Photo: General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces)
Iranian military commanders closely studied the war in
Ukraine before the start of the U.S. operation, focusing on drones, 3D
printing, artificial intelligence and other ways to modernize warfare, the Financial
Times reported after reviewing hundreds of articles in Iranian defense
journals.
One of the commanders drawing strategic lessons from the war
in Ukraine was Hossein Dadvand, the head of an Iranian military academy. In one
article, he said those lessons ranged from the resilience of Ukraine’s defense production
to the use of 3D printers to mass-produce cheap drones.
His recommendations were published two years ago in a
leading Iranian defense journal. He urged Iran to invest in UAVs, rely on more
agile and mobile combat units, and modernize both training and battlefield
tactics. He also proposed exploring the use of artificial intelligence in
weapons systems.
In all, the FT reviewed more than 300 articles published
over the past five years in 10 Iranian defense journals. Together, they offer a
rare glimpse into Iran’s opaque military establishment — what is being
discussed internally, how tactics are evolving and which technologies are being
prioritized. The articles show that Iran tracked Russia’s actions and closely
studied Ukraine’s experience, including how it adapted to fighting a far
stronger adversary with UAVs and cyberwarfare tools.
Last year, Dadvand gave a rare interview in which he said
Tehran had updated military textbooks and troop training methods to reflect
lessons from Ukraine.
“The Russia-Ukraine war was one of the cases we studied
carefully. One of the most important points in that war was the broad use of
small drones and artificial intelligence. We are observing the introduction of
advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum technology and
nanotechnology into the military sphere,” the Iranian commander said.
The FT’s review also pointed to weaknesses in Iran’s
military ahead of any conflict with Israel and the United States. Influential
commanders Kiomars Heidari and Abdolali Pourshasb expressed concern about a
lack of forward planning for “new threats.” In 2023, they wrote that Iran
needed to quickly recruit specialists, overhaul military training and plan
weapons purchases around advanced technologies such as drones, lasers and space
platforms.
The articles also described ways to block the Strait of
Hormuz, including by seizing ships or laying mines in coastal waters. Many
focused on drone technology, tactics and communications, as well as studies
assessing the effectiveness of Iran’s air defenses. They also devoted
significant attention to expanding cyberwarfare capabilities, including
integrating artificial intelligence into decision-making and attacks.
FT analysts noted that senior Iranian commanders, officers
and intelligence officials sometimes write under pseudonyms.
Early on April 8, Donald Trump said he had agreed to a
two-week ceasefire with Iran on the condition that the Strait of Hormuz be
opened immediately. The truce expires on April 22. During that period, Iran
attacked a French vessel and a British vessel in Hormuz, and Trump accused
Tehran of violating the ceasefire agreement.
The United States later intercepted and took control of the
Iranian cargo vessel TOUSKA in the Gulf of Oman.
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