The Role of Dual-Use Technologies in Hybrid Warfare: A Double-Edged Sword?

The concepts of “hybrid warfare” and “dual-use technologies” have two striking similarities. Both link the military with the civilian domains; both are also heavily used in Western security architecture. It is thus surprising that very little academic literature explores their interrelationship. To fill this gap, the present article asks how dual-use technologies influence hybrid warfare.

It is argued that dual-use technologies are a double-edged sword as they enable hybrid aggressors but also help counter hybrid warfare. On the one hand, the versatility, lower acquisition costs, and adaptability of dual-use technologies increase the risk of hybrid campaigns. On the other, they can improve allied interoperability and resilience against hybrid threats. It is thus recommended that researchers, analysts and decision-makers consider dual-use technologies when investigating or mounting a defense against hybrid adversaries.