The reality of the changing dimensions of warfare, Pg 6.

Key Highlights:

• Traditional conflict frameworks like the Peace of Westphalia are losing relevance amid rising tech-centric warfare.
• Drones, AI, cyber warfare, and hypersonic weapons are redefining battlefield operations.
• The India-Pakistan conflict of May 2025 showcased use of fixed-wing drones, precision strikes, and network-centric warfare.
• The 1991 Gulf War marked the beginning of modern-era warfare tactics, later expanded post 9/11 and Ukraine war.
• Automation and digital strategies have made warfare multi-domain and semi-autonomous.
• India’s defence strategy and procurement need urgent re-evaluation and modernization.
• China’s indigenous edge in advanced defence platforms adds urgency for India to diversify and innovate.

Detailed Insights:

• The illusion of peace post-WWII, bolstered by US military supremacy, masked numerous regional conflicts across Asia, Africa, and Europe.
• Events like the fall of the Berlin Wall (1989) and 9/11 (2001) marked turning points in global conflict paradigms.
• The 1991 Operation Desert Storm introduced high-speed, multi-domain warfare, serving as a precursor to today’s advanced tactics.
• The 2022 Ukraine war, backed by NATO, further demonstrated three-dimensional battle doctrines and precision automation.
• The May 2025 India-Pakistan conflict revealed a blend of traditional and modern strategies—fighter jets, BrahMos missiles, Songar drones, and loitering munitions were deployed.
• Network-centric warfare integrates cyber, AI, ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance), and autonomous platforms into cohesive operational systems.
• With hypersonic and AI-enabled weapons entering global arsenals, military procurement based on legacy systems becomes outdated.
• India’s current reliance on external platforms (e.g., Rafale jets) is insufficient amid delays in indigenous systems and global tech shifts.
• A strategic shift is essential to handle two-front war scenarios and emerging digital conflict environments.

Concepts Involved:

• Network-Centric Warfare: A military doctrine using sensors, communication networks, and data systems to enhance situational awareness and coordination.
• Loitering Munitions: A hybrid of drones and missiles that can hover before striking a target.
• Hypersonic Weapons: Missiles traveling at speeds > Mach 5, with maneuverability and minimal response time.
• Multi-Domain Operations: Coordinated military actions across land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace.
• ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance): Systems that gather and process battlefield intelligence in real time.