The Weapons That Turned Infantry Into the Dominant Force on the Battlefield

"Modern battlefields may be filled with drones, precision strikes, and advanced sensors, but wars are still decided by infantry in close contact. The reason lies in a long chain of technological breakthroughs that steadily empowered foot soldiers to shape outcomes once dictated by cavalry, artillery, or armor. Here, 24/7 Wall St. is taking a closer look at the weapons that empowered infantry over the years."

"Infantry remains the decisive force in warfare not by tradition, but because technology repeatedly shifted power into the hands of the individual soldier. From the decline of cavalry and massed formations to the modern ability of small units to counter armor, aircraft, and fortified positions, the battlefield has steadily tilted toward infantry dominance. By examining the weapons and systems that enabled those shifts, this article explains how foot soldiers evolved from supporting elements into the primary agents of battlefield control."

Modern battlefields include drones, precision strikes, and advanced sensors, but infantry still decide wars through close contact. A long chain of technological breakthroughs steadily empowered foot soldiers to shape outcomes once dictated by cavalry, artillery, or armor. Weapons and systems transformed infantry from supporting elements into primary agents of battlefield control. Analysis of weapon use, battlefield impact, and the threats they neutralized shows how small units gained the ability to counter armor, aircraft, and fortifications. The shift from massed formations and cavalry to squad-level decision-making explains why infantry dominance persists despite high-end technology.

Read at 24/7 Wall St.