The dialectic between technology and strategy: the effects of technological modernity on the grammar of war in the 21st century

Abstract

This article analyzes the dialectic between technological modernity and strategic theory in the 21st century, investigating how the emergence of unmanned systems and sensor saturation redefine the grammar of war without altering its political nature. The central objective is to evaluate whether the increase in technical capabilities translates into strategic effectiveness and national autonomy, particularly within the context of the Brazilian Army. Methodologically, the research is characterized as a qualitative and exploratory study based on bibliographic and documentary analysis. The analytical framework is grounded in Biddle’s “modern system,” and Sandro Moita’s (2020) “ontology of victory.” Additionally, the work integrates the perspectives of Martins and Lukrafka (2022) and Teixeira Jr. (2017) to contextualize the challenges of Capability-Based Planning and the Defense Industrial Base (DIB). The results indicate that technology acts as a power multiplier whose effectiveness is conditioned by tactical depth and the institutional capacity to convert technical triumphs into lasting political outcomes. It concludes that the modernization of the Land Force requires an adaptive synthesis between “steel” and “code,” which is essential for maintaining deterrence and Brazil’s sovereignty.