How Digitalization Helps the Military Improve Its Skills

“My dear, here we must run as fast as we can, just to stay in place. And if you wish to go anywhere you must run twice as fast as that,” wrote Lewis Carroll in Alice in Wonderland. This is where we are now. So we must run as fast as we can—and accelerate.

Modern warfare demands constant innovation, in particular in technological domain. However, access to technology is not enough; it must be understood and adopted by a large number of people, who must also remain alert to constant change. New tools and approaches emerge every day and require rapid adaptation. Training, therefore, must be relevant, practical and continuously updated—not just theoretical or manual-based.

Drones, for instance, quickly became ubiquitous on the battlefield, eventually prompting the creation of a new service branch: the Unmanned Systems Forces. Advances in tactical medicine now help save lives within minutes of injury. Psychological and informational aspects of warfare have also gained prominence. To perform difficult tasks effectively, one must remain composed and think critically.

It is no longer sufficient to learn once and rely on that knowledge indefinitely. Military personnel must regularly upgrade both hard and soft skills. The concept of lifelong learning is now the norm—within the armed forces as well. The more you study, the more you know, the more you apply—and the more effective you become.

As Taras Shevchenko once wrote: “Study, read, and learn from others, and do not shy away from your own.”

So what are some examples of military training abroad and in Ukraine?

Abroad

For the skeptics: no virtual reality app or headset can replace live-fire training or applying the MARCH protocol on realistic dummies.

But given the scale and speed of modern information flows, armies must be able to update and distribute training rapidly, often to hundreds of thousands of personnel. Solely offline training is no longer adequate. That is why both NATO and non-NATO armed forces have for years supplemented training for professional soldiers and recruits with online courses.

Within NATO, the primary online learning system is the Joint Advanced Distributed Learning platform. It is shared across member and partner countries, including Ukraine. Troops can train directly from their smartphones. JADL offers modules on subjects ranging from cybersecurity and digital warfare to operational planning and military ethics. It also includes gender and cultural awareness and legal aspects of warfare.

More recently, NATO has increasingly incorporated interactive tools, including virtual and augmented reality. The former simulates complex environments—combat scenarios, medical emergencies, cyberattacks. The latter helps troops familiarize themselves with weapons and equipment more efficiently.

NATO, however, was not the first to pursue this path. South Korea began integrating digital tools into military education as early as 2006, using 3D visualizations to train crews of the K10 ARV ammunition resupply vehicle for its K9 howitzer. Since then, digital instruction has evolved significantly beyond basic modelling.

The Israeli military, meanwhile, encourages soldiers to develop their own training apps—and to learn programming in the process. The organization Tsevet Lohamim, which prepares immigrants for military service, has created a paid mobile app focused on tactical physical training.

Another key component of military education—especially in NATO countries—is English-language training, both general and military-specific, along with communication skills. Examples of self-paced language learning platforms include the commercial CL-150 system by Transparent Language, Mango Languages for military and government users, and the open-access MilLife Learning by OneSource.

In Ukraine

The full-scale invasion prompted a surge of interest among Ukrainians in military training. Online courses, seminars and training programs have proliferated, many of them free and widely accessible. These platforms allow people to study from virtually anywhere.

Ukrainians have long recognized digitalization as a source of asymmetric advantage. While often discussed in the context of combat operations, the same applies to civilian life. Digital solutions allow people to study on their own time and terms.

Still, digital tools are a supplement, not a substitute. Core skills should be taught at the CPE or relevant official courses by professionals—military or medical—with combat experience, through certified programs.

In the past three years, Ukraine has developed several valuable digital training tools. From the launch of the Army+ app, developers consulted service members to identify key areas of interest. The app now features courses on UAV basics, information security, and psychological resilience. It also offers general information about the structure of the Defense Forces, helping new recruits understand their environment and feel more prepared. More than 67,500 troops have enrolled in Army+ courses; 27,000 have completed them and received certificates—a strong conversion rate that continues to rise. It shows a motivated force eager to improve. New large-scale courses are in development, including modules on military finance and procurement, due to be added soon.

Ukraine also offers the LifeSaver SIM app, which guides users through tactical medical training in detailed, step-by-step fashion. It includes multiple scenarios that users can practice. Importantly, it detects mistakes—for example, applying a tourniquet incorrectly—and provides corrective feedback.

Another tool is the interactive film First Battle, already used in military training. It simulates the experience of first-time combat using VR technology, allowing users to understand the psychological effects and analyze mistakes to improve decision-making under stress.

For firearms training, the Drill app provides structured lessons and exercises, including instruction on malfunctions, loading and handling. It offers both weapon-specific and general weapons-handling courses.

Then there is the Strata 22 platform, now used by the Defense Forces for marksmanship training. All that is required is a laptop, a VR headset, and a weapon model—such as an air defense system, assault rifle, or grenade launcher. The platform supports training on 30 weapon types, based on NATO and Ukrainian Armed Forces standards.

These examples are not exhaustive. Ukraine continues to expand its ecosystem of military education tools. They offer a solid theoretical foundation—but there is no room for complacency. The Ministry of Defense has ambitious plans for expanding training programs and integrating VR and AR technologies more broadly in military training centers. Further updates are expected soon—stay tuned.