Over time, the weapons humans use have changed significantly, starting from simple stone tools to the advanced weapons we see today. In the Stone Age, people used various tools made of stone, wood, and bone. Later, they began using the bow and arrow, which is considered one of the earliest weapons made. The invention of bow and arrow was a revolutionary advancement in the history of weapons. Even today, some tribal communities use this primitive weapon for their survival.
According to archaeological findings, the history of the bow and arrow dates back to around 10,000 BCE. This simple tool was powerful and effective, helping people hunt animals and protect themselves from rival tribes. They were able to use it accurately as it was more reliable than any other hand-thrown objects such as spears and rocks. It was commonly used on every battlefield by soldiers alongside other weapons before the advent of more sophisticated weaponry. This was the first step towards the creation of more complex weapons. The wars fought in those times were face-to-face combat with swords and arrows, but modern warfare is much more complex, involving military operations on land, in the air, and at sea.
The development of weapons accelerated with the introduction of gunpowder by Chinese alchemists in the 9th Century. Initially, the gunpowder was used only for fireworks, but later, tests were conducted to fire iron balls using gunpowder, and these experiments were successful. Thus, the foundation for the manufacture of modern firearms was laid with the discovery of gunpowder. It soon spread to Europe, and by the 14th century, firearms and cannons began to appear on European battlefields.
Flintlock mechanism
The firearms produced earlier were cumbersome and slow to reload. However, as technology advanced, later firearms became more reliable, accurate, and powerful. The flintlock mechanism allowed soldiers to fire their weapons more quickly and effectively, making armoured knights obsolete. The cannons manufactured during this early period gave way to more sophisticated artillery, capable of demolishing strong castle walls. Some of the earliest cannons can still be seen in Galle Face Green and in Trincomalee. The production of these heavy cannons was possible thanks to the discovery of gunpowder, which was a game-changer in military history.
It was during the Industrial Revolution in the 18th and 19th Centuries that many advances in weapons development were made. Firearms were produced in mass quantities. The creation of rifles with rifled barrels marked the beginning of many other sophisticated firearms that we see today. The rifle was a powerful gun with high accuracy to fire at targets at a distance, giving soldiers a greater advantage on the battlefield. Early rifles and other guns were large and heavy, requiring two or more people to handle them. A few such large old guns are exhibited at the National Museum in Colombo.
However, during this time, firearm manufacturers went a step further with the invention of the machine gun in the late 19th Century. The main advantage of a heavy machine gun is its capability of firing hundreds of rounds per minute.
This was a great revolution in weapons development technology that made all other traditional battle tactics obsolete. The 20th Century saw the birth of highly sophisticated weapons. It was the beginning of the most powerful and destructive weaponry in human history. Mass manufacturing of military equipment such as tanks, aircraft, submarines, and chemical weapons began. There were two World Wars, and these weapons were used on great battlefields, claiming millions of lives.
The World Wars spurred the creation of automatic rifles such as the AK-47, M16, and the T-56 that we see today, alongside other equipment that gave soldiers unprecedented firepower. Weapons such as the Thompson submachine gun and the M1 Garand also became available during this time, providing a higher rate of fire with greater reliability.
The most significant development of this era was the invention of nuclear weapons, which are considered weapons of mass destruction. The massive devastation caused by the dropping of two nuclear bombs in 1945 on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan marked a terrifying chapter in the history of warfare. These bomb explosions led to the destruction of tens of thousands of human lives and infrastructure.
The lethal nature of nuclear weapons became evident. We are now in a nuclear age, and today, all eyes are on the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. Russia has the highest number of nuclear warheads, apart from the USA. The development of nuclear weapons began during World War II, and these lethal weapons introduced a new level of destructive power, leading to the Cold War’s arms race.
Now, weapons development technology has come a long way, with more ultra-modern weapon systems entering warfare. Guided missiles, smart bombs, drones, and anti-missile defence systems are being developed and deployed, shifting the focus towards precision and technology.
In the modern era, we see rapid development in stealth technology and advanced surveillance systems. These technologies have the capacity to carry out military operations without soldiers being physically present on the battlefield. Stealth technology has made it possible for aircraft and remotely controlled drones to evade detection and carry out operations accurately and successfully.
Cyber warfare
In this day and age, cyber warfare has become a critical military strategy. It involves the use of digital attacks by one nation or State to damage or destroy the computers, networks, or data of another nation. It can also disrupt enemy communications, steal sensitive information, and even disable critical infrastructures such as power grids.
Cyber warfare has the ability to cripple a country’s functioning without using traditional firepower. Nations deploy hackers and cyber tools for these clandestine operations, which are carried out remotely and anonymously. This has become a threat to global security, leading nations to invest heavily in both defensive and offensive cyber capabilities.
What will future weapons look like? Research is ongoing into the use of laser technology, which could change the nature of combat operations by providing limitless ammunition with pinpoint accuracy to respond to enemy attacks. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being integrated into weapon systems to identify and engage threats with minimal human intervention.
Hypersonic weapons are the latest invention in the world. These weapons, capable of travelling at speeds greater than Mach 5, are being developed to overcome current missile defence systems. Only a few countries with the highest military power in the world possess this hypersonic technology. Intercontinental ballistic missiles are also powerful weapons used for long-range missions. These deadly weapons are being developed by militaries worldwide.
The evolution of weapons—from arrows to modern weaponry—reflects humanity’s relentless pursuit of power and efficiency in combat. Advancements in war technology have changed the nature of warfare and significantly impacted global security, as the potential for destruction has grown exponentially. As technology continues to advance, future weaponry will likely evolve in unimaginable ways.
