Warfare Rewired The Tech Shifts
This article is based on the speech delivered by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) during the seminar on “Aligning Emerging Technologies to Future Conflicts” at Aero India 2025.
(General Anil ChauhanPVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), India )
This subject holds significant relevance for me as a military officer and, indeed, should be of considerable interest to all who dedicate themselves to the profession of arms. The nature of military service is distinct from many other professions. In fields such as law, architecture, or medicine, daily practice and engagement are inherent to professional development. A lawyer hones their skills at the bar, an architect through design, and a doctor through the treatment of patients.
However, the profession of arms operates differently, as a nation does not engage in warfare on a daily basis. Instead, military officers must dedicate themselves to rigorous preparation for future conflicts.
This involves continuous training, the acquisition and integration of emerging technologies, and the development of advanced tactical strategies. The necessity of such preparation underscores the uniqueness of military service and the weight of responsibility it entails.
The importance of this approach is rooted in the fundamental nature of warfare, where there are no second chances. Victory or defeat in conflict is often absolute and can have catastrophic consequences. Therefore, the armed forces prepare with a singular objective: to ensure victory in any potential engagement.
The relationship between technology, combat, and tactics can be understood from two primary perspectives. One suggests that technology drives the evolution of tactics, while the other posits that tactical requirements drive technological innovation. This relationship mirrors the proverbial ‘chicken and egg’ scenario, wherein it is often difficult to determine which element precedes the other.
Historically, technological advancements have been driven by the imperative to gain superiority on the battlefield. Such advancements aim to enhance protection, mobility, and firepower—addressing factors such as lethality, range, and precision. The evolution of protective equipment illustrates this well. From the use of leather and steel armour in ancient times to the modern development of bulletproof jackets made from Kevlar and composite materials, the fundamental need for protection in combat has remained constant, even as technologies have advanced.
Similarly, the evolution of military aviation reflects the continuous drive for technological enhancement. While the basic function of aircraft remains unchanged, successive generations—fifth and sixth—have introduced advancements that improve manoeuvrability, endurance, operational range, lethality, and efficiency. These enhancements are not merely technological luxuries but essential developments that ensure sustained superiority. As operational needs persist and evolve, so too must the technologies designed to meet them.
Certain technologies possess dual-use capabilities, serving both civilian and military domains. Notable examples include communication technologies, detection radars, and advanced sensors, which enable vision beyond visual range. Computational technologies, such as advanced computing systems, also fall into this category.
Although not originally developed for combat purposes, such technologies significantly influence military operations, thereby requiring armed forces to demonstrate adaptability. Integrating these advancements into defence systems demands innovation, inventiveness, and imaginative thinking.
The transition from manoeuvre warfare to net-centric warfare is largely driven by these dual-use technologies, particularly Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) systems. These technologies have introduced critical concepts such as enhanced situational awareness, battlefield transparency, and the pursuit of information superiority. The ultimate objective is to achieve information dominance—a cornerstone of modern net-centric warfare.
In the context of net-centric security, achieving information superiority requires a nuanced understanding of networks. Networks must be conceptualised as dynamic, actionable processes rather than passive infrastructures. When perceived merely as static entities, networks remain underutilised. However, when leveraged proactively, they serve as powerful enablers of operational advantage in warfare.
The widespread application of emerging technologies in active combat remains on the horizon. While it is evident that these advancements will shape future warfare, their exact impact is not yet fully understood. For instance, the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in shaping combat dynamics remains complex and unpredictable. Systems such as Manned and Unmanned Vehicles (MUMVs) are poised to facilitate the evolution from net-centric to data-centric or intelligent warfare, thereby enhancing decision-making processes and operational superiority.
This dynamic relationship between technology and tactics is pivotal. Technology can influence tactical strategies, just as evolving tactical needs can drive technological advancements, enabling faster and more effective decision-making. Disruptive technologies also warrant attention. These innovations, which often arise from the convergence of multiple technological developments, can exert disproportionate impacts relative to their investment. Their outcomes, however, can be unpredictable. Historical precedents underscore this transformative potential. Technologies such as the telegraph and steam engine revolutionised warfare during the 19th century, enhancing operational mobility and introducing the concept of theatres and fronts. These advancements allowed for faster mobilisation and extended the command-and-control reach beyond traditional battlefields. Similarly, the advent of submarine cables facilitated the projection of power across vast distances, which was effectively leveraged by Western powers. In the contemporary context, innovations such as quantum sensing offer freedom from satellite-based navigation systems while ensuring pinpoint accuracy over vast distances.
Combined with hypersonic technology, such systems can become virtually undetectable. The integration of AI with autonomous weapons is also set to redefine the nature of warfare, enhancing strategic advantages. Warfare, by its very nature, is complex and difficult to predict. Yet, understanding it can be simplified by examining three critical aspects: the changing nature of battlefields, the types of warfare that may emerge, and the evolving character of combat itself.
Historically, warfare has transitioned from the land domain to maritime and aerial domains, with each new frontier profoundly influencing the preceding one. Today, these domains are undergoing further transformation. On land, increasing urbanisation has concentrated conflicts within populated centres, giving rise to complex, subterranean warfare scenarios, as exemplified by recent conflicts in Gaza.
In the maritime domain, warfare has extended beyond surface engagements to include underwater and seabed operations. This shift is driven by the strategic importance of submarine communication cables and the potential exploitation of seabed minerals. Similarly, the aerial domain is expanding into near-space.
Platforms such as High Altitude Pseudo-Satellites (HAPS) and hypersonic systems are redefining operational dynamics, highlighting the need to integrate conventional airspace operations with emerging near-space capabilities.
In addition to these traditional domains, newer arenas of conflict, including cyber, space, and the electromagnetic spectrum, are becoming increasingly significant. The space domain is no longer limited to near-Earth operations but is extending towards lunar engagements. Navigating these complex environments requires aligning technological advancements with strategic objectives. Three major trends are shaping the evolving nature of combat. The first is the shift towards non-contact warfare. Historically, military strategy has sought to minimise risks to combatants by increasing engagement distances. From the evolution of swords to rifles, and eventually to artillery and beyond-visual-range systems, this progression has significantly expanded the battlespace, increasing both operational scope and complexity.
The second trend is the rise of unmanned platforms. Advances in robotics have paved the way for enhanced operational endurance and effectiveness. This has led to the integration of manned and unmanned systems, as seen in the conceptualisation of sixth-generation aircraft designed to serve as airborne command centres capable of controlling multiple unmanned platforms.
The third trend is the increasing autonomy of warfare systems. Future combat may involve engagements between human operators and autonomous systems, or even autonomous systems engaging independently. This evolution necessitates the development of cross-domain operational capabilities, enabling forces to project influence and command operations across land, sea, and air domains seamlessly.
Furthermore, the battlefield is becoming increasingly intelligent. This transformation is driven by the digitisation of warfare, wherein networks comprising terrestrial, aerial, and satellite systems provide comprehensive situational awareness. The proliferation of sensors, combined with AI and machine learning, allows for rapid data processing and informed decision-making, laying the foundation for data-centric and intelligent warfare.
Warfare is also evolving in its fundamental nature. Carl von Clausewitz’s assertion that “war is a continuation of policy by other means” remains a key principle. Traditionally, warfare was viewed as a finite, rational engagement—initiated after political deliberation and concluded with a return to diplomacy. However, modern conflict dynamics challenge these conventions.
Terrorism, by its nature, is irrational and persistent, often lacking definitive beginnings or resolutions. Similarly, grey-zone conflicts operate below conventional war thresholds, creating protracted and ambiguous confrontations. As such, modern warfare represents a continuous spectrum encompassing competition, crisis, combat, and negotiation.An illustrative example is the multi-layered nature of recent conflicts in the Middle East. Conventional warfare between Israel and Hamas coexists with less conventional engagements involving the Houthis and broader strategic confrontations with Iran. This complexity reflects the evolving character of contemporary warfare.
In conclusion, while technological advancement is integral to future combat readiness, it is not the sole determinant of victory. Success will depend on the development of innovative operational concepts, adaptive doctrines, and resilient organisational structures. Building a culture of innovation and adaptability will be essential to complement technological advancements and ensure strategic superiority.
The future of warfare is poised to witness combat scenarios involving humans and machines, and potentially progressing to engagements solely between autonomous systems. Warfare is also expected to become increasingly multi-domain, necessitating simultaneous operations across two or more theatres of conflict. For instance, the complexity of land warfare is evolving with the advent of subterranean and urban terrains. Similarly, maritime operations are expanding from surface engagements to include underwater and seabed dimensions. In the aerial domain, the expansion into near-space is redefining operational challenges.
To effectively navigate this evolving landscape, the development of technologies that facilitate cross-domain operations is paramount. Naval forces, for example, must possess the capability to influence and engage in both surface and sub-surface operations from land-based platforms, and vice versa. Similarly, it is essential that assets such as land-based missile systems and air defence platforms can be effectively commanded from maritime positions. Failure to achieve this level of integration will significantly undermine the capacity to conduct effective multi-domain operations.
Furthermore, the battlefield is becoming increasingly intelligent, driven by several technological trends. Foremost among these is the digitisation of the battlespace, facilitated by networking terrestrial, aerial, and satellite systems to provide a comprehensive operational picture. The proliferation of sensors—ranging from personal mobile devices to advanced satellite systems—has resulted in an unprecedented volume of data generation. With an estimated global population of 8 billion, there are now over 16 billion man-made sensors, surpassing natural sensors. This ubiquity of sensors, embedded in devices such as smartphones, laptops, and surveillance systems, has exponentially increased data availability.
Harnessing this vast data pool necessitates advanced processing capabilities. The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning will be critical in transforming raw data into actionable intelligence, enabling faster and more informed decision-making. This transition will mark the shift towards data-centric and intelligent warfare, where the strategic advantage lies in the ability to process information swiftly and decisively. The discourse on the nature of war is incomplete without referencing Clausewitz, who famously stated, “War is a continuation of policy by other means.” This assertion offers two key insights. Firstly, warfare is inherently finite, commencing when political avenues are exhausted and concluding when negotiations resume. Secondly, entering a war is fundamentally a rational decision, reached after thorough deliberation and consideration of political alternatives.
However, contemporary warfare increasingly defies these traditional parameters. Terrorism, for example, is characterised by its irrational and perpetual nature, lacking definitive beginnings or conclusions.
Similarly, grey-zone conflicts operate below conventional war thresholds, avoiding direct escalation while fostering prolonged and ambiguous confrontations. These forms of conflict challenge the Clausewitzian model, introducing complex, undefined parameters that complicate strategic calculations.
Despite these evolving dynamics, conventional warfare remains a persistent reality. Modern conflict operates along a continuum that encompasses competition, crisis, combat, and resolution. This continuum is complex and fluid, as illustrated by recent conflicts in Gaza. Israel’s engagement with Hamas represents a conventional conflict, while parallel engagements with the Houthis and Iran reflect less conventional forms of warfare, each distinct yet occurring concurrently.
Given this complexity, it is evident that technological advancement alone is insufficient to ensure success in future conflicts. While technology is a critical enabler, victory will ultimately depend on the development of innovative concepts, adaptive doctrines, and resilient organisational structures. It will require the establishment of new cultural norms and operational processes that align with the demands of modern and future warfare. In essence, while technology forms a crucial part of the solution, it must be integrated within a broader framework of strategic and organisational evolution to achieve enduring success.
