Military Science Review

New Zealand and AUKUS: Towards a New Dimension of Defence Cooperation?

2025-04-01T08:46:27+02:00

AUKUS is a trilateral defense agreement established in 2021 between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, which elevates strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region to a new level. The agreement rests on two pillars: the first focuses on the acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines by Australia, while the second emphasizes joint capability development. Within this framework, the three countries collaborate on areas that are expected to shape the future of the arms race, such as artificial intelligence, quantum technology, and hypersonic systems. This study examines New Zealand’s potential accession to the second pillar of AUKUS, based on government narratives and key strategic documents.

Migration as a Tool of Hybrid Warfare and the Responses of Northern European Law Enforcement Agencies

2025-03-31T09:03:30+02:00

This study examines how Russia and Belarus have instrumentalized migration as a tool of hybrid warfare along the eastern borders of the European Union. Special attention is given to the responses of Finland, Lithuania, and Latvia, which include not only law enforcement and border protection measures but also innovative political and legal solutions. Using a qualitative, case study-based document analysis, the research focuses on developments between 2021 and 2024, particularly on instances of migration being used as a means of coercion. The main finding is that this form of hybrid warfare poses significant challenges to the EU's common asylum system and exacerbates the difficulties in forming a unified migration policy. The cases analyzed further illustrate that unilateral actions justified by national security concerns open new debates about the fragile balance between border protection and human rights.

Possibilities for Preventing Diabetes Among Employees of Defence and Law Enforcement Agencies

2025-03-17T10:12:37+01:00

Objective: The increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) can also impact personnel in defense and law enforcement agencies, as it impairs physical and mental performance, jeopardizing medical fitness and operational readiness. The aim of this study is to explore the possibilities of preventing T2DM among armed forces personnel.

Methods: The research is based on a systematic analysis of epidemiological data, international and national scientific literature, and clinical study results. It examines the applicability of primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention strategies for diabetes within the armed forces.

Results: According to scientific literature and clinical studies, lifestyle interventions effectively reduce the risk of T2DM development and slow the progression of carbohydrate metabolism disorders. Risk-based screening using the FINDRISC questionnaire, combined with appropriate laboratory tests and timely lifestyle modifications, along with pharmacological treatment when necessary, can significantly decrease disease incidence and complications. Modern diabetes management tools, such as continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), support the optimization of individualized therapeutic strategies.

The Dilemma of an Insurgent Criminal Case: Can Military Law Be a Tool For a Moral Education?

2025-04-30T12:00:00+02:00

The French Revolutionary Wars, and the defeat of the Third Coalition in 1805, encouraged the continental powers to rethink their military recruitment system based on the French model. The Habsburg Empire wanted to solve the emerging challenges by establishing the institution of the Landwehr. In the territory of the Kingdom of Hungary, the obvious solution was to develop the institution of general insurrection. In my thesis, I looked for examples of the success of the regularization process. The „Vitay” court case of 1801 is evidence that the Kingdom of Hungary wanted to instill the continuity of the exercitus hungaricus in the modernization of the general insurrection. But can the morale of soldiers be raised with such criminal cases?

Hybrid Warfare and Strategic Communication

2025-03-21T10:54:43+01:00

This paper examines the role of strategic communication in countering hybrid warfare, particularly in countering disinformation as a key element of hybrid threats. Hybrid warfare operates in the “grey zone” between war and peace, using a combination of military and non-military tactics, including cyberattacks, manipulation of social unrest, and propaganda. Given the increasing complexity of hybrid threats, strategic communication is a critical tool for shaping public perceptions, building resilience, and mitigating disinformation campaigns. This study examines the definition of hybrid warfare, its key elements from this perspective, and the challenges it poses. A case study highlights NATO’s Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence (STRATCOM COE) and its role in countering disinformation. The paper concludes by emphasising the importance of a comprehensive and coordinated approach to strategic communication to ensure national security and global stability. Ultimately, this paper emphasises that mastering strategic communication is no longer optional but a prerequisite for states seeking to navigate treacherous waters.

Hungarian Defence Systems in the North-Eastern Carpathian Mountains

2025-03-27T09:43:24+01:00

The development of the Carpathian defence system began in 1940 with the construction of reinforced concrete valley locks and the renovation of World War I defensive positions in the area around the passes to ensure border defence. The construction of the triple defence system became urgent in 1944. The system of camp fortifications and barracks was built until the arrival of the front. Blockades were established between the Hunyadi and Saint László positions to slow down and stop the attackers. The Red Army was able to break through the defence system as a result of a forty-day, continuous offensive operation.

The Hidden Cost of War: Environmental Damage During the Russia–Ukraine War

2025-03-17T10:16:55+01:00

The environmental impacts of armed conflicts are often underestimated, despite their long-term and severe effects on ecosystems and human health. During the Russia-Ukraine war, more than 25,000 km² of agricultural land became unusable due to explosive remnants and chemical contamination, endangering food security and water resources. Greenhouse gas emissions have reached 200 million tons, surpassing the annual emissions of several industrialized countries. The destruction of infrastructure and the depletion of natural resources pose a significant threat to Ukraine’s ecological balance and global climate protection goals. This conflict highlights the long-term, global environmental risks associated with modern warfare.

Estonain Defence Forces and Estonian Defence League

2025-03-19T09:02:14+01:00

As the northernmost country in NATO's Baltic wing, Estonia remains a hotspot for the Alliance in today's rapidly changing security environment. Despite its small size, the country has the capacity to mobilise significant numbers of trained reservists under a special legal regime. This paper uses document analysis to describe the structure, organisational characteristics and missions of the Estonian Defence Forces and the Estonian Defence League.