Preparedness and Response to Modern Warfare Threats: A Look into the Future

Background and Aim: Identifying, predicting, and evaluating the threats posed by emerging technologies, with indicators such as accurate and precise threat recognition, and assessing the threat’s power and capacity to safeguard the interests of our beloved country in future battles, is a crucial matter. Generating new and appropriate ideas in the field of technological threats and providing a clear picture of the most important future threats will help develop and plan effective responses to threats and prevent surprises. The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of the roadmap and the need for the transformation of science and technology in health, relief, and medical treatment for the armed forces in preparing for and responding to modern warfare threats.
Methods: This qualitative study was conducted using the content analysis method of documents. First, by reviewing electronic resources, all available documents and articles related to preparedness and response to modern warfare threats were identified. After a multi-stage screening, 20 documents were finally selected and analyzed after coding.
Results: Based on the findings of this study, threat assessments in modern warfare include artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, robots, enhanced humans, unmanned technologies (drones), biological, chemical, and nuclear events and threats, cyber/electromagnetic events and threats, gene editing technologies and gene weapons, genetically modified products, quantum biology, cyborgs, cognitive warfare, and more.
Conclusion: Planning, up-to-date, and comprehensive periodic training and exercises for the armed forces' medical centers in providing an appropriate response to mission requirements in dealing with modern warfare threats can save the lives of the wounded and injured and improve the healing process.