Commentators at Les Echos argue that the course of the Ukraine conflict is shaped by far more than the mass use of drones, which have become a dominant feature of the battlefield.
In their view, UAVs depend on an entire network of supporting systems, including intelligence, communications, command and control, and space-based infrastructure. Without that support, drones would be of little use. These systems provide units with data, coordinate operations, direct fire and speed up the flow of information.
Les Echos places particular emphasis on space-based intelligence. The publication argues that access to U.S. technology played a key role in Ukraine’s ability to continue military operations, pointing specifically to the capabilities provided by SpaceX.
According to the authors, external space support, above all from SpaceX, had a major impact on the conflict and may have changed the nature of combat during its early stages, helping Ukraine withstand the initial period.
The publication says European countries should study this experience closely. If Europe wants to be fully prepared for a possible global conflict, it must focus not only on developing drones, but also on intelligence, communications, command systems and space infrastructure that make those weapons effective.