Revolution in Military Affairs Mechanized Warfare and the Future of War
Jan 26, 2026
Michael (Matt) Paul, a career U.S. Army infantry and acquisition officer, and Scott Rutter, a former battalion commander with combat leadership experience, discuss mechanized warfare’s continuing relevance. They explore when and how armored attacks can exploit fleeting windows, the reconnaissance and logistics needed to set conditions, and risks of forcing new tech into old structures.
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Mechanized Warfare Is Conditional, Not Dead
- Mechanized attacks remain viable but are now conditional and episodic rather than the default offensive option.
- Success depends on creating, protecting, and exploiting temporary windows of opportunity on the battlefield.
Don't Trust Anecdotes; Study Campaigns
- Observers often draw misleading conclusions from selective open-source clips and anecdotes from Ukraine.
- Studying campaigns over time reveals learning, adaptation, and changing conditions that shape mechanized operations' success.
Conceal Intent To Reopen Windows
- Ukraine's 2024 operations show concealment of intent and operational surprise can open opportunities for mechanized gains.
- Even limited penetrations can yield significant tactical and operational results when conditions and deception align.
