Transformação digital e dissuasão marítima: a inserção de tecnologias emergentes na estratégia naval brasileira

Abstract

In recent years, the Brazilian Navy has confronted a landscape of rapid and challenging changes. The arrival of technologies such as artificial intelligence, electronic warfare, and cybersecurity is transforming not only its operational methods but also its approach to maritime defense. More than simply increasing combat power, these innovations are changing how nations protect their assets, particularly in strategic areas like the South Atlantic and the Blue Amazon. This topic gains urgency amid a global context marked by complex threats, recurring disputes over resources, and a relentless technological arms race. This study aims to understand the changes these technologies have caused in the logic of maritime deterrence, the risks that arise from a dependence on external solutions, and what paths can strengthen national autonomy and security. The research follows a qualitative and exploratory approach, based on insights from leading figures in naval strategy, official documents, and international experiences that have demonstrated what works and what does not. The results suggest that, when properly combined, these tools allow for closer monitoring of vast areas, faster decision-making, and resource savings. However, they also expose nations to new threats, such as cyberattacks and industrial espionage. Thus, the coordinated adoption of artificial intelligence, electronic warfare, and cybersecurity is no longer a choice but a necessity. Yet, these gains will only be sustainable if they are accompanied by constant investment in digital protection, the training of specialists, and the strengthening of the national defense industry. Only then will technology cease to be a risk and become a true instrument of sovereignty.