The Transformation of Air Superiority and Hybrid Warfare in the 21st Century: Military, Political, and Ethical Dimensions
Copyright (c) 2026 Takács M. Péter
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Abstract
Warfare in the 21st century has undergone a profound transformation: the classical concept of air superiority has become relative, while the logic of multidomain operations has moved into focus. Modern air forces no longer serve solely as tools of kinetic power but play an integrated role in shaping political messaging, conducting information and cyber warfare, and generating psychological effects. The rise of drone warfare and autonomous weapons systems introduces new strategic, ethical, and legal dilemmas, reshaping the concepts of sovereignty, legitimacy, and accountability. This study examines the multidimensional role of air power in contemporary hybrid conflicts, with particular emphasis on the political-philosophical and ethical challenges.
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