Modern Warfare Evolution: Strategic Lessons for India's Defence Posture

Indian Express - Explained · 28 Jun 2026 · 2 min read
Prelims · Defence and security Mains · GS3 Security High relevance

Major General Badri Narain Raizada analyzes the transformation of modern warfare, emphasizing technological sovereignty, multi-domain operations, and asymmetrical attrition, with direct implications for India's Defence Forces Vision 2047 and integrated military strategy.

Key points

Multi-domain operations have replaced traditional land-centric warfare, integrating aerial, electronic, and cyber capabilities with autonomous weapons systems, necessitating doctrinal shifts in India's military strategy.

Hybrid warfare combines conventional force with cyber operations, disinformation, and economic coercion, creating a grey zone that challenges existing international law and requires India to develop robust countermeasures.

Asymmetrical attrition demonstrates that smaller powers can impose unsustainable costs on superpowers, as seen in Afghanistan and West Asia, validating India's need for cost-imposing strategies rather than direct force matching.

[GS3-Science and Technology] The global defence electronics market's projected growth to $254 billion by 2032 underscores the strategic imperative for India to develop indigenous capabilities in semiconductors, AI, and encrypted communications.

Defence Forces Vision 2047 prioritizes force integration through initiatives like the AI-enabled 'Sudarshan Kavach' air defence system and proposed Missile and Drone Forces, marking a decisive shift from siloed service approaches.

Intelligence architecture has become the decisive factor in modern conflict, as demonstrated by Israel's layered systems, highlighting India's need to invest in real-time battlefield awareness and precision strike capabilities.

[GS2-International Relations] The rise of BRICS and middle powers challenges unipolarity, creating strategic space for India to leverage its position in shaping new global security architectures.

Way Forward: India should accelerate joint training institutions for force integration, establish a dedicated Cyber Command under the Integrated Defence Staff, and prioritize indigenous R&D in autonomous systems through strategic partnerships with private sector innovators.

Key terms

Defence Forces Vision 2047

India's strategic roadmap for military modernization emphasizing force integration, technological sovereignty, and multi-domain readiness. Crucial for GS3 (Security) to understand India's defence industrial policy and self-reliance goals.

Hybrid Warfare

A conflict strategy blending conventional military force with cyber operations, disinformation campaigns, and economic coercion, operating in the 'grey zone' below traditional war thresholds. For UPSC, it's critical for understanding contemporary security challenges and India's need for comprehensive deterrence frameworks.

Multi-Domain Operations

Military strategy integrating land, air, sea, space, and cyber capabilities simultaneously. Relevant for GS3 (Security) as it underpins India's theaterisation plans and requires doctrinal reforms in command structures and jointness.

Asymmetrical Attrition

Conflict dynamic where weaker actors impose disproportionate costs on stronger adversaries through prolonged engagement. Important for GS2 (International Relations) analysis of India's Pakistan/China strategies and cost-imposition models.