General Sashko Lafchiski on technology and adaptation in warfare

Major General Sashko Lafchiski, Chief of the General Staff of the Army, emphasized that while technology drives revolutions in warfare, true operational and strategic success depends on adaptation, leadership, human potential, and societal resilience.

Speaking at a panel discussion titled ‘Evolution or Revolution in Warfare? From the Gulf War to Ukraine: continuity, changes and the future of NATO collective defense,’ organized by the Institute of National History – Skopje and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, Lafchiski noted that technological innovation alone does not guarantee victory.

Reflecting on the 1991 Gulf War, he pointed out that the combination of precision strikes, air superiority, stealth technology, and battlefield digitalization—paired with new doctrines and unified command—allowed coalition forces to achieve their military objectives. He observed that while these models were applied in subsequent conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, adversaries have since learned to adapt to new technologies and methodologies, underscoring the necessity of continuous adaptation to maintain a military advantage.