Context
An asymmetric strike is done by Ukraine under the Operation Spiderweb, which involved long-range drone assaults on Russian air bases. It garnered significant attention, showcasing critical lessons in modern warfare.
Ukraine’s Asymmetric Strike
(a) Strategic Targeting: Ukraine’s drone strikes devastated over 40 Russian warplanes, along with those stationed in remote regions. It showcased the effectiveness of precision attacks on critical assets.
(b) Psychological Impact: The strike, apart from inflicted material losses, also eroded Russian air superiority, compelled adjustments in deployment strategies.
(c) Lessons for Future Conflicts: The attack highlighted the rising role of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in modern warfare. So, telling you about the need for robust air defense mechanisms.
What is Modern and Asymmetric Warfare?
(a) Modern warfare comprises advanced technology, cyber capabilities, and artificial intelligence to upgrade military operations. Nations are today heavily relying on drones, hypersonic missiles, etc., to destroy the adversary’s defences.
(b) Asymmetric warfare occurs when a weaker force utilises non-traditional tactics to counter a stronger enemy. It consists of guerrilla warfare, cyberattacks, and drone strikes.
Reasons for Their Emergence
(i) Strategic Advantage and Deniability: Asymmetric approaches permit subjects to achieve political, military, or economic desires without even declaring war. This keeps avenues for diplomatic negotiations open and reduces the risk of direct, high-intensity confrontation.
(ii) Cost-Effectiveness: These methods are generally cheaper and logistically less complicated than deploying large traditional military forces. Economic sanctions, cyberattacks, and supporting proxy groups can cause heavy damage to an enemy’s economy or infrastructure without much investment in physical tools of military.
(iii) Technological Advancements: comparatively low-cost, high-tech weapons (e.g., drones, precision-guided missiles) are easily available to non-state actors, leveling the playing field against tech-loaded traditional forces.
(iv) Rise of Non-State Actors and Proxy Warfare: The post-Cold War witnessed the expansion of powerful non-state actors (terrorist groups, insurgencies, etc) that can operate from anywhere and be involved in complicated networks of alliances.
(v) Information is the New Weapon: Disinformation campaigns, meme wars, and fake narratives can destabilize democracies and instigate internal unrest.
Asymmetric Warfare: Threats to India
(i) Cross-Border Terrorism & Proxy War: India faces an old asymmetric threat from Pakistan, which actively nudges terrorism through organisations like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).
(ii) Information Warfare and Psychological Operations: India’s unity is often targeted through intentional disinformation campaigns, frequently multiplied through social media. These operations target communal unrest, manipulate political sentiment, and radicalize youth.
(iii) Cyberattacks on Critical Infrastructure: India’s rapidly rising digital infrastructure is under threat from cyber scammers and attackers. For eg, the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant suffered a malware intrusion in 2019.
(iv) Economic Warfare and Supply Chain Vulnerability: India’s trade deficit, especially with China, exposes it to strategic coercion. More than 79% of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) in Indian medicines come from China, making them vulnerable during geopolitical conflicts.
(v) China’s Grey-Zone Tactics and Territorial Encroachments: China has mastered the art of grey-zone warfare, wherein actions only fall short of provoking open conflict. It utilises tactics like “salami slicing” to slowly shift territorial boundaries, as seen during the 2020 Galwan clashes.
(vi) Digital Espionage and Surveillance Threats: India’s leadership, institutions, and strategic assets have been targets of digital surveillance. The Pegasus spyware controversy raised concerns about the potential misuse of advanced surveillance tools by both foreign and domestic players.
- Psychological Warfare: An Emerging Tactic
- Drone Warfare: Ukraine Drone Attack on Russia
- Hybrid Warfare: The Changing Face of Conflict
- Download the Mobile App of Target Defence Academy
India’s Readiness for this Warfare
(i) Integrating Technology: India understands the significance of multi-domain operations, integrating AI-driven surveillance, cyber defense, and unmanned aerial systems into its military framework.
(ii) Leveraging Unconventional Strategies: The DRDO Young Scientist Laboratory – Asymmetric Technologies (DYSL-AT) is spearheading research into AI-powered swarm algorithms and unmanned aerial vehicles.
(iii) Addressing Multi-Dimensional Threats: India has recognized the increasing complexity of non-kinetic warfare, with parliamentary committees heavily studying defence preparedness.
(a) It has highlighted the significance of collaborative security frameworks to counter asymmetric threats. (b) Increasing intelligence-sharing between military and government agencies to fight against these threats effectively.
Conclusion
Modern as well as asymmetric warfare reevaluate conventional combat, making conflicts more complicated and unpredictable. India has to accustom, innovate, and collaborate with its strategic allies to remain ahead in the evolving battlefield. India’s attention on tech advancements and strategic preparedness ensures it remains resilient against emerging threats.