Why Energy Is the New Global Arms Race

National Interest  |  Boaz Golany

Artificial intelligence and geopolitical conflicts are forcing global powers to treat energy infrastructure as a primary military battlefield and strategic vulnerability. The ongoing war in Ukraine demonstrates this shift, with Russian forces having repeatedly attacked Ukrainian power plants to degrade adversary capabilities. Meanwhile, the destruction of the Nord Stream pipelines underscores the vulnerability of critical maritime assets.

This operational risk is compounded by the massive power requirements of frontier AI models and advanced manufacturing, which are increasing the demand for reliable electricity on an unprecedented scale. Consequently, defense ministries are prioritizing strategic resilience, evaluating whether generation systems can survive wartime disruptions, cyberattacks, or physical strikes. This search for continuous baseload power has sparked a global nuclear energy renaissance, with nations like China, France, and Japan expanding or restoring reactor fleets. Ultimately, the twenty-first century will reward states that build diversified, resilient grids capable of sustaining technological leadership and military readiness during geopolitical crises.

Comment

The development of mobile microreactors under the US Department of Defense's Project Pele signals a shift toward decentralised, tactical nuclear power. Unlike traditional gigawatt-scale reactors, these transportable units are designed to sustain remote operating bases and high-energy weapons systems without relying on vulnerable fossil fuel supply lines. This technological transition directly addresses the operational vulnerability of forward-deployed forces in contested environments like the Indo-Pacific. However, the deployment of such reactors introduces novel security challenges, particularly regarding the physical protection of enriched uranium-235 in active combat zones.

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