In today’s defense landscape, hiding is no longer possible.
Satellites, artificial intelligence, open-source intelligence, and real-time surveillance have transformed modern conflict zones into what is now being called the transparent battlefield.
The transparent battlefield is a paradigm shift. It changes how military operations are carried out. It also says something about how technologies must evolve.
On the transparent battlefield, everything can be seen, everywhere, always.
Low-orbit satellites provide near real-time imagery with remarkable resolution. Drones and thermal cameras track troop movements and logistics. Social media, mobile signals, and publicly available data can be used by adversaries to analyze and predict behavior, map infrastructure, and expose strategies with frightening precision”, explains Johan Vaernholt, former military and today Head of Business Development at Ideon Science Park.
Even a single digital footprint can compromise an entire operation. A soldier’s mobile phone, GPS signal, or radio transmission leaves traces that can be intercepted, triangulated, and used to launch targeted attacks. Electronic warfare no longer simply listens; it actively disrupts and retaliates in real time.
Artificial intelligence accelerates all of this. Machine learning models digest massive streams of sensor data to detect, predict, and even act upon threats, often faster than any human can respond”, says Johan.
The battlefield is no longer defined by geography. It is now a network of patterns, signals, and decisions that happen at machine speed.
This radical transparency increases vulnerability across the board.
Traditional methods of concealment – camouflage, silence, physical cover – are no longer enough.”
Therefore, we need new types of protection, for example, smart materials that reduce signature exposure, AI-based systems that help forces move without being tracked, and distributed, mobile infrastructure that’s harder to lock onto.
Many of these solutions are emerging not from traditional defense contractors but from the civilian tech world, in space, AI, cybersecurity, and advanced manufacturing.
Startups working on logistics AI, sensor fusion, encrypted communications, or swarm robotics may hold the keys to defense resilience in the years ahead.
The Defense Platform AMYNA – Powered by Ideon Science Park explores and supports innovations that can help Sweden and the Nordics operate and protect in this new reality.
The transparent battlefield is here. It demands new, responsible, and dual-use innovation:
Check out Vinnova’s call that ends September 3rd. The call aims to strengthen the conditions for Swedish companies to further develop civilian solutions for use in military contexts to address the challenges of the transparent battlefield.
