INTERVIEW | "Weapons should be developed like a mother prepares food for her children," Edward Luttwak

Commenting on the keys to Israel’s military innovation, the esteemed strategist Edward Luttwak stated in conversation with AthenaLab that “weapons should be developed like a mother prepares food for her children, not like a luxury restaurant,” meaning they must be simple and easy to use, while also recommending that all ideas be considered when thinking about their design.

He explained that, for example, Ukrainians are not asking for cutting-edge equipment to confront Russian invaders, but rather reliable 155 mm howitzers. He also recounted how drones and reactive defense for armored vehicles originated.

Author of dozens of books published in 24 languages, the former advisor to governments and armed forces of various countries asserted that “military development can be done in Chile, either to protect the nation from threats or to promote industrial activity in search of markets.”

Luttwak (Arad, Romania, 1942) has just published “The Art of Military Innovation: Lessons from Israel,” alongside Eitan Shamir, and although the book was released just three days after the terrorist incursion by Hamas into Israeli territory, the work does not focus on the wars of that country, but rather on the military development of the Israel Defense Forces, which have made them one of the most modern and professional in the world.

Full interview below:

December 4, 2023