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Introduction

Warfare has evolved from conventional battles to tech-driven conflicts using AI, drones, and cyber tools. Modern wars are multi-domain and less dependent on troops. Conflicts in Ukraine, West Asia, and the 2025 India-Pakistan skirmish have underscored how modern warfare transcends physical borders and domains, compelling nations to rethink traditional defence paradigms.

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Positive Implications for India’s National Security Doctrine

• Precision Strikes with Lower Casualties: Modern warfare, exemplified by India’s 2025 precision strikes, uses drones and AI-guided missiles to ensure accuracy while reducing troop casualties and collateral damage.
• Enhanced Surveillance and Intelligence Gathering: High-altitude UAVs and drones offer real-time monitoring of borders and enemy activity, enabling faster and informed tactical decisions.
• Shift to Multi-Domain and Network-Centric Warfare: Integration of land, air, sea, cyber, and space operations allows India to respond swiftly and flexibly across all domains.
• Reduced Reliance on Physical Troop Deployment: Remote-operated systems and automation lower the need for ground presence, reducing soldier risk and enabling faster strategic actions.
• Technological Edge in Strategic Deterrence: AI-powered platforms, hypersonic missiles, and autonomous weapons boost India’s deterrence posture against adversaries like China and Pakistan.

Challenges for changing modern warfare practise

• Obsolete Defence Procurement and Planning: Traditional procurement cycles struggle to match the pace of tech innovation, risking India’s battlefield relevance.
• Lag in Indigenous Defence Capabilities: India trails China in developing homegrown AI, drone, and hypersonic systems, increasing dependence on imports.
  Eg: Tejas LCA aircraft not able to meet demands, delay in production.
• Vulnerability to Cyber and AI-Based Attacks: Network-centric systems are prone to cyber infiltration and algorithmic manipulation by hostile actors.
• Two-Front War Risks: Without tech parity, India faces overstretch in a simultaneous conflict with China and Pakistan, especially in drone and cyber warfare.
• Doctrinal Confusion and Implementation Lag: Rapid tech shifts outpace India’s doctrinal updates, risking strategic miscalculations and response delays.
  

What India Needs to Do to Adapt to Changing Warfare

• Revamp Military Modernisation Plans: Existing plans must be completely revised to align with technological advancements like AI, drones, and unmanned systems.
• Reassess Defence Procurement Priorities: India must evaluate the relevance of ongoing and proposed tenders, especially for outdated weapon categories.
• Accelerate Indigenous Defence Production: Boost R&D and manufacturing of fighter jets, missiles, and high-tech systems to reduce reliance on foreign imports like Rafale jets.
• Invest in Next-Gen Combat Platforms: Focus on developing 5th and 6th generation fighter jets, long-range drones, and autonomous weapon systems to match China’s advancements (e.g., J-20, upcoming 6th gen fighter).
• Diversify Military Hardware: Ensure a broad mix of modern weaponry and platforms to enhance capability across domains—critical for preparedness in a two-front war scenario.
• Prioritise High-Altitude Long-Endurance UAVs: These are essential for modern surveillance, combat, and communication needs and must be fast-tracked.

Conclusion

India’s national security doctrine must revamp itself by integrating AI, cyber, and space capabilities. Focus on indigenisation, joint commands, and rapid tech adoption is vital. Future readiness depends on strategic agility and tech-driven defence systems.

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