Vojenské Rozhledy

Czech Military Review

Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 2/2025, Vol. XXXIV. (LXVI.): 201-222


Loitering Munition: Impact, Response and Approach to its Integration into Smaller Armed ForcesReviewed - Research

Jaroslav Galba Author profile1, Markéta Licková Author profileORCID...1, Vlastimil Vašíček2, Vladimír Vyklický Author profile1
1 University of Defence, Brno, Czech Republic
2 Territorial Forces Command, Czech Armed Forces


The article analyzes loitering munition as a distinct category separate from traditional UAVs and examines its role in recent armed conflicts. Drawing on qualitative and quantitative analysis, it finds that these systems have become a persistent feature of modern warfare, which is also reflected in the rapid expansion of acquisition efforts within NATO countries after years of stagnation. Building on these findings, the article introduces four functional criteria defining loitering munition and provides a targeted DOTMLPFI mapping that outlines the key requirements and indicative metrics needed to achieve full operational capability. The study shows that progress across all DOTMLPFI domains is essential for effective and sustainable integration, particularly in smaller armed forces.

Keywords: Armed Conflicts; Autonomous Systems; Drones; Loitering Munition; UAS

Published: January 2, 2026  Show citation

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Galba, J., Licková, M., Vašíček, V., & Vyklický, V. (2025).
Loitering Munition: Impact, Response and Approach to its Integration into Smaller Armed Forces. Czech Military Review, 106(2), 201-222
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