The article discusses the problems and current trends in the construction of complex models of combat operations. The approaches of the mathematical apparatus in the existing models of combat operations are presented and their compliance with modern trends in the development of military art is determined. The features of the development of models of combat operations using modern information technologies are described. This scientific article was published as part of the research work under the IRN BR1090140221 program «Development of a software and technical complex for modeling (automated planning) of the actions of troops (forces), combat training of military management bodies of types and branches of the armed forces», for program-targeted funding for 2021-2023 of the Science Committee of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan.