The new battlefield: AI-based warfare in the ‘agentic’ age, multi-domain ops and energy as a big constraining factor

By | July 7, 2025
AI warfare in the agentic age using autonomous drones

In the 21st century, wars are no longer fought solely with tanks, fighter jets, and boots on the ground. The battlefield has expanded—stretching across digital networks, space satellites, autonomous drones, and even invisible lines of energy consumption. At the heart of this transformation lies a trio of disruptive forces: agentic AI systems, multi-domain operations, and the often-overlooked challenge of energy logistics.

These elements are shaping what many are calling the “new battlefield”—a space where decisions are increasingly made by machines, battles are fought across multiple environments simultaneously, and energy becomes as critical as ammunition.

Agentic AI: When Machines Decide

We’ve entered the agentic age—a time when artificial intelligence is no longer just reactive or rule-based, but goal-driven and autonomous. Unlike traditional AI models that require specific inputs and human oversight, agentic AI systems can set sub-goals, learn in real time, adapt to changing environments, and operate independently in chaotic conditions.

In military terms, this means autonomous drones that can reroute mid-mission, robotic systems that coordinate without human intervention, and AI commanders that analyze thousands of data points to recommend real-time tactics. These aren’t science fiction concepts—they’re already being tested.

For example, the U.S. military’s “Replicator” initiative aims to deploy thousands of cheap, autonomous air and sea vehicles to counteract China’s numerical advantage in the Indo-Pacific. These systems are designed to “think” and act independently in swarms.

The benefits are obvious: faster decision-making, reduced risk to human lives, and enhanced battlefield agility. But the ethical dilemmas are just as stark. What happens when an autonomous weapon misidentifies a target? Who is held accountable—an algorithm or a general?

Multi-Domain Operations: A Complex Web of Warfare

Warfare is no longer confined to one space. Modern militaries must operate seamlessly across land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace—often all at once. This approach, known as multi-domain operations (MDO), requires coordination, speed, and precision across a wide network of assets.

Imagine a future battle where:

  • A cyberattack disables enemy communication systems.
  • Satellites provide instant geolocation for missile strikes.
  • Autonomous ground vehicles engage enemy troops.
  • Naval drones gather surveillance while jamming radar.

All of these components must work in unison, guided by real-time data and predictive modeling. This is the reality of multi-domain warfare—fluid, data-driven, and powered by AI agents.

AI plays a central role in MDO by processing overwhelming data, synchronizing actions across units, and automatically reallocating resources as threats emerge. Without AI, human commanders could be overwhelmed by the sheer scale and speed of decision-making required.

The Energy Factor: An Unseen Limitation

While AI and MDO grab headlines, energy is the invisible backbone of modern conflict. Every drone flight, laser weapon, server rack, and satellite link draws power—and lots of it.

In the past, armies worried about fuel for tanks and helicopters. Now, they must plan for:

  • Charging networks for electric vehicles and autonomous platforms
  • Portable energy solutions for battlefield AI processing
  • Defending power infrastructure from cyber and kinetic attacks

During the Ukraine-Russia conflict, electronic warfare systems were often rendered useless when energy supplies were disrupted or units ran out of portable power sources.

This shows how energy is not just a logistical concern—it’s a tactical vulnerability. A power-hungry AI system is useless without reliable energy. In fact, the more intelligent and automated a battlefield becomes, the more energy-dependent it becomes.

Convergence: A Triple-Edged Sword

When agentic AI, multi-domain integration, and energy logistics converge, they reshape every aspect of military doctrine:

  • Autonomous systems reduce human exposure, but require constant, stable energy to operate.
  • Multi-domain warfare expands operational reach, but creates exponentially complex coordination problems—solvable only with AI.
  • Energy is the common denominator—powering AI and enabling MDO, but also creating new points of failure and attack.

Militaries are now exploring innovations like solar-powered drones, AI-optimized resupply routes, and mobile nuclear reactors to support extended operations. Some are even designing AI agents that prioritize energy efficiency—selecting actions not just based on tactical outcomes but also based on available energy reserves.

Strategic Implications for Nations

The evolving battlefield creates new asymmetries and opportunities:

  1. Smaller nations can punch above their weight by deploying low-cost, autonomous swarms and leveraging cyber tools.
  2. Dominance in one domain is no longer enough—a superior air force cannot win if its satellites are blinded or its networks hacked.
  3. Energy resilience becomes a measure of military strength, alongside firepower and troop numbers.

Nations that invest in resilient, decentralized energy systems and machine-coordinated operations will likely dominate future conflicts. Those that fail to adapt may be outmaneuvered not on the ground, but in the cloud.

Ethical, Legal, and Human Questions

As machines take on more battlefield roles, major ethical concerns arise:

  • Who is responsible when an autonomous agent makes a fatal error?
  • Can AI systems follow international humanitarian law?
  • What mechanisms exist to ensure human oversight without slowing down operations?

The answers remain unclear. International regulations have not caught up, and most militaries are operating in legal gray zones. This uncertainty increases the risk of accidental escalation or civilian harm in future conflicts.

Conclusion: Preparing for the Unknown

The battlefield of tomorrow is already here, defined not just by new technologies but by the complex interactions between them. Agentic AI, multi-domain operations, and energy logistics are the foundational forces of this transformation.

To navigate this new era, nations must balance innovation with accountability, and power with responsibility. Whether or not the world is ready, warfare in the agentic age has already begun—and the winners will be those who master its complexity without losing sight of its consequences.