Chaired by Brigadier General (Ret.) Hans DAMEN, Member of the International Consultative Board at the New Strategy Center and former Head of the Taskforce Logistics / J4 of the Netherlands Ministry of Defense, this panel brought together distinguished experts to discuss the pressing need for societies to adapt to the realities of drone warfare. Speakers included Mr. Andriy SIRKO-GALOUCHENKO, expert in UAV development for military applications and founder of the Ukrainian UAV Forum; Lieutenant General Iulian BERDILĂ, Deputy Chief of Defense for Operations and Training in Romania; Mr. Sven KRUCK, Co-CEO of Quantum Systems, Germany; and Mr. Kevin CAPOZZOLI, CEO of MACH Industries, USA.

Together, they explored the critical aspects of training, operations, and maintenance required to integrate unmanned systems effectively into both military and civilian infrastructures. A major theme of the discussion was the legal adaptation needed to regulate the acquisition and deployment of military drones, ensuring that evolving regulations keep pace with rapid technological advancements. Additionally, the panel emphasized the importance of decentralizing drone integration within the military, tailoring their deployment to specific battalion types and operational doctrines rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach. The multi-domain battlefield was another key focus, as the rise of AI-driven drone warfare necessitates better coordination between autonomous systems and human soldiers. Beyond the military sphere, the panel addressed the civilian capacity to contribute to drone warfare, citing real-world examples of civilians designing and producing drones in non-traditional environments, including private garages. This raised important questions about how governments and defense institutions can better leverage civil-military cooperation to enhance national resilience. The future of drone warfare also depends on the rapid development of hardware, software, and AI components, requiring the defense industrial base to adapt millions of systems to counter evolving threats. Additionally, the role of private military companies as centers of technological innovation was highlighted, with a call for the development of unconventional solutions that go beyond traditional defense strategies. The panel concluded that a practical, hands-on approach to defense is needed—one that goes beyond simply building better shelters and drones. Instead, a comprehensive strategy spanning legal frameworks, training programs, military doctrine, and civilian engagement is essential to ensure societies are not just reacting to drone warfare, but actively shaping its future.