{"id":78452,"date":"2026-07-06T18:41:13","date_gmt":"2026-07-06T13:11:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=78452"},"modified":"2026-07-06T18:41:42","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T13:11:42","slug":"ai-modern-warfare","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/06-07-2026\/ai-modern-warfare","title":{"rendered":"AI is Reshaping Modern Warfare"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Defence\/ Internal Security<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The trinity of <strong>artificial intelligence (AI), military autonomy and algorithmic warfare <\/strong>is redefining modern-day warfighting and deterrence.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Recent Use of Technology in Warfares&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>The Russia-Ukraine War<\/strong> has shown that low-cost FPV drones can destroy expensive armoured platforms.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The Nagorno-Karabakh War<\/strong> demonstrated the decisive impact of loitering munitions on conventional warfare.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The Gaza Strip conflict<\/strong> highlighted how non-state actors can use commercial drones for surveillance and targeted strikes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>India<\/strong>, too, has employed drones in recent operations, including the <strong>Operation Sindoor and retaliatory strikes against Pakistan.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What Is Modern Warfare?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Modern warfare<\/strong> is characterised by the growing use of low-cost, high-impact technologies such as <strong>unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), loitering munitions, swarm drones, and long-range precision strike systems.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Threat of Swarm Saturation:<\/strong> The deployment of hundreds of drones in a single coordinated attack has demonstrated the serious threat posed by swarm saturation.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Even the most advanced air defence systems <strong>face limitations in terms of rate of fire, interception capacity, and reload speed<\/strong> when confronted with such large-scale attacks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>India\u2019s counter-drone doctrine<\/strong> is still in a<strong> transitional phase<\/strong>, with operational responsibilities expanding significantly.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Technologies Shaping Modern Warfare<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Artificial intelligence enables<\/strong> real-time intelligence processing, <strong>predictive battlefield analysis, automated logistics, <\/strong>and decision-support systems.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Unmanned and Autonomous Systems:<\/strong> Drones, loitering munitions, and unmanned ground and naval platforms have transformed surveillance and strike capabilities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cyber and Information Warfare: <\/strong>It targets critical infrastructure, command-and-control systems, and military networks, often during peacetime.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Information warfare includes <strong>disinformation campaigns, psychological operations, and narrative control<\/strong>, aimed at shaping public perception and political outcomes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Counter-Space Capabilities:<\/strong> Space-based assets are central to <strong>navigation, missile guidance, surveillance<\/strong>, and secure communications.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Anti-satellite weapons<\/strong>, electronic interference, and space debris risks have made space a contested and weaponised domain.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Precision-guided munitions <\/strong>and <strong>hypersonic weapons<\/strong> allow stand-off attacks with minimal warning time, challenging traditional deterrence and air defence systems.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Threats Posed by Modern Warfare to India<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Hybrid and Grey-Zone Challenges:<\/strong> India faces persistent grey-zone tactics, including cyber intrusions, disinformation campaigns, and proxy violence.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>Doklam (2017) and Ladakh standoff (2020)<\/strong> illustrate how coercion can occur without full-scale war.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cyber and Information Vulnerabilities:<\/strong> India ranks among the top five countries targeted by <strong>cyber attacks<\/strong>, according to <strong>CERT-In assessments.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Disinformation campaigns risk undermining social cohesion, electoral processes, and institutional trust.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Maritime and Space Security Risks:<\/strong> Over <strong>90% <\/strong>of India\u2019s trade by volume moves through sea routes, making maritime security vital.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Dependence on space-based assets exposes India to counter-space threats affecting both civilian services and military operations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>India\u2019s Institutional and Strategic Response<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Military Modernisation and Indigenisation:<\/strong>\u00a0 India allocated a record \u20b92.19 lakh crore (~$23.9 billion) for the defence capital outlay in the 2026\u201327 Union Budget, marking a 21.84% increase over the previous year.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Indigenous platforms such as <strong>Tejas, Akash, Pinaka<\/strong>, and armed UAVs enhance self-reliance and operational flexibility.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Structural Reforms: <\/strong>The creation of the <strong>Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)<\/strong> following the <strong>Shekatkar Committee<\/strong> recommendations aims to enhance joint planning and integration.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Proposed Integrated Theatre Commands<\/strong> are designed to enable unified multi-domain operations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction System (IDD&amp;IS) <\/strong>is developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation and Bharat Electronics Limited, provides a comprehensive counter-drone solution.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is capable of <strong>detecting drones at ranges of 5\u20138 km<\/strong>, <strong>jamming communication signals within 2\u20135 km<\/strong> and neutralising threats using laser-based directed energy weapons at close ranges.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>\u201cBhargavastra\u201d Anti-Swarm System:<\/strong> Developed by Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL), it is a <strong>low-cost, homegrown counter-drone system<\/strong> that uses micro-rockets to destroy drone swarms in hard-kill mode.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Indian Army has initiated large-scale procurement of <strong>surveillance and kamikaze drones<\/strong> to enhance both defensive and offensive capabilities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Establishment of the <strong>Defence Cyber Agency (DCA)<\/strong> and <strong>Defence Space Agency (DSA)<\/strong> institutionalises emerging warfighting domains.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Way Ahead<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Need for Robust Counter-Drone Systems:<\/strong> Swarm drones are low-cost but high-impact weapons capable of overwhelming advanced air defence systems.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India needs to prioritise the <strong>procurement of cost-effective anti-drone systems<\/strong> capable of detecting, jamming, and neutralising small unmanned aerial vehicles.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Expansion of Robotic Warfare Capabilities: <\/strong>The increasing role of robotics in warfare is <strong>reducing dependence on human manpower<\/strong> in high-risk operations.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Robotic systems can be effectively deployed for mine detection, surveillance, reconnaissance, and logistical support.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Passive Defence Measures: <\/strong>The saturation of even advanced defence systems, such as Iron Dome, highlights the limitations of active defence mechanisms.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Passive measures such as <strong>dispersion of assets, camouflage, concealment, and underground infrastructure<\/strong> are essential for force preservation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Modern warfare demands a shift from <strong>platform-centric approaches to capability-based, technology-driven force<\/strong> planning. India must accelerate <strong>AI adoption, cyber resilience, space security<\/strong>, and jointness reforms.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sustained investment in human capital, defence innovation, and strategic partnerships will be crucial to maintain credible deterrence.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Adapting to the evolving character of warfare is essential for safeguarding India\u2019s <strong>sovereignty, stability, and strategic autonomy<\/strong> in a rapidly changing global order.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: IE<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><strong> Context <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> The trinity of artificial intelligence (AI), military autonomy and algorithmic warfare is redefining modern-day warfighting and deterrence. <\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong> Recent Use of Technology in Warfares\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> The Russia-Ukraine War has shown that low-cost FPV drones can destroy expensive armoured platforms. <\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> The Nagorno-Karabakh War demonstrated the decisive impact of loitering munitions on conventional warfare. <\/li>\n<p><a href=\" https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/06-07-2026\/ai-modern-warfare \" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-78452","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/78452","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=78452"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/78452\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":78454,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/78452\/revisions\/78454"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=78452"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=78452"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=78452"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}