The accelerating integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into modern defense operations has initiated a profound transformation in how wars are planned, executed, and interpreted. This review paper investigates the growing influence of AI across various military domains, emphasizing its technological innovations, operational potential, and ethical implications. The study explores the emergence of autonomous and semi-autonomous weapon systems, adaptive decision-support mechanisms, and intelligent surveillance platforms that collectively enhance battlefield precision and situational awareness. Despite these advancements, the reliance on algorithmic intelligence introduces new forms of vulnerability, including data manipulation, algorithmic bias, and reduced human accountability in lethal decision-making. Furthermore, the rapid deployment of AI-based systems raises complex ethical and legal concerns regarding compliance with humanitarian law and the preservation of meaningful human control. By systematically examining existing literature, defense reports, and global policy frameworks, this paper identifies critical challenges that demand urgent attention—ranging from transparency in algorithmic operations to the governance of autonomous decision architectures. The findings underline the necessity for international collaboration and the development of robust regulatory mechanisms that harmonize innovation with ethical responsibility. Ultimately, this review highlights that the success of AI in warfare will not solely depend on computational superiority, but on maintaining a strategic equilibrium between technological advancement, human oversight, and moral accountability.

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Modern Warfare, Autonomous Systems, Military Technology, Ethical AI, Defense Innovation, Human–Machine Collaboration, AI Governance.