Paper: GS – III, Subject: Internal Security, Topic: Emerging security challenges- Global commons, Issue: Evolving dimensions of warfare.
Context:
Traditional concepts of warfare are evolving rapidly due to technological advancements and geopolitical changes. Old international norms are declining with the emergence of new, hybrid forms of warfare in the 21st century.
Key Highlights:
Old order and its decline:
- Old systems like the Peace of Westphalia (1648) and Congress of Vienna (1815) are losing relevance.
- The notion of a rules-based international order, popular post-WWII, is no longer effective in curbing modern conflicts.
- Although post-1945 was seen as a peaceful era, there were many regional conflicts across Korea, Vietnam, Middle East, Africa.
- The Cold War era only masked deep-rooted global tensions.
Turning Point in Modern Warfare:
- 9/11 and Operation Desert Storm (1991) redefined global conflict, marking the start of modern-era warfare.
| Operation Desert Storm, also known as the Gulf War or the First Gulf War, was a significant military conflict that occurred between August 1990 and February 1991. It was initiated in response to Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, which was led by Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. It involved a coalition of 35 nations led by the United States. |
- Modern warfare started incorporating precision strikes, stealth operations, real-time satellite intelligence and remote-controlled attacks.
- The present era is witnessing the emergence of drones, cyber warfare, Artificial Intelligence (AI), GPS-guided weapons, etc.
- For instance, Pakistan and India have both employed precision weapons like BrahMos and PL-15 missiles.
Shift in the Nature of War:
- From Conventional to Hybrid Warfare: Traditional warfare doctrines are losing importance. Wars now involve Psychological and cyber warfare, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Non-state actors and autonomous systems.
- Rise of Non-Kinetic Warfare: Attacks are not always physical and factors like disinformation, cyberattacks, and AI-driven sabotage are equally critical.
| Case Studies: Ukraine-Russia Conflict:It has reshaped how militaries view territorial and technological dominance.Use of drones, cyber tools, and information warfare became central.West Asia Conflict:Growing use of automation and unmanned systems as seen in Israel’s sabotage attacks on Iran. Conflicts now witness AI-enabled targeting and precision operations. |
Lessons for India:
- Need for Doctrinal Shift: India must update its national security doctrines to match modern realities. India must pursue reforms in War doctrines, Weapons systems, and Cyber & space-based capabilities.
- Modernisation of Armed Forces: India should further build upon Indigenous drones, Advanced fighter jets (Tejas Mk-II), Hypersonic missiles and AI-backed surveillance.
- Agility and adaptability: India’s war planning must now account for Speed and precision, Hybrid threatsand Strategic deterrence in cyber space.
Conclusion:
As warfare is undergoing a profound transformation, nations like India must move beyond conventional paradigms and adopt agile, tech-driven, multidomain warfare strategies.
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