Emerging Warfare Technologies and Self-Reliance in Defence Innovation

• 10 Oct 2025

Source: PIB 

Why in News?  

The Defence Minister of India highlighted that future wars will be shaped by Artificial Intelligence (AI), autonomous systems, drones, quantum computing, and directed-energy weapons as seen in Operation Sindoor and called on entrepreneurs and startups to set new benchmarks and create India’s first defence unicorn. 

How are Emerging Technologies Transforming the Nature of Warfare? 

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML): AI analyzes battlefield data in real-time, helping commanders make faster strategic and tactical decisions. 
  • AI-powered algorithms detect, respond to, and predict cyber threats in real-time, protecting military networks. 
  • AI/ML, combined with information technology, can be used for military or political purposes, such as cyberattacks, espionage, and information warfare.  
  • These methods target government, civilian, and military systems through tactics like viruses, denial-of-service attacks, and phishing.  
    • A notable example is the Stuxnet worm, which specifically targeted Iranian nuclear facilities. 
• Autonomous Weapons and Loitering Munitions: These include unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) like Israel's Harop and India's Nagastra-1 that make target decisions without human intervention.  
  • These loitering munitions autonomously seek and engage targets, combining missile and drone capabilities for precise strikes at a lower operational cost.  
• Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs); The DEWs like India’s Directionally Unrestricted Ray-Gun Array (DURGA) II are high-energy lasers and microwave weapons, can incapacitate or destroy targets like missiles, drones, or vehicles without using traditional explosives. 
• Quantum Technologies: It has the potential to break encryption systems, posing significant threats to secure communications in warfare.  
  • They can also be used for military applications like logistics optimization and simulation modeling. 
• Space-Based Warfare: The militarization of space has made satellites critical for global positioning, communications, and real-time intelligence. 
  • Military satellites provide navigation, weather data, surveillance, and communication for forces on the ground, air, or sea.  
  • The ability to destroy or disable enemy satellites in space has become a strategic priority. Countries like China and India have tested Anti-satellite weapons (ASAT) capabilities (e.g., India's Mission Shakti). 
• Hypersonic Missiles: Missiles like BrahMos-II travel at speeds greater than Mach 5 (five times the speed of sound), allowing them to evade current missile defense systems.  
  • These weapons can carry conventional or nuclear warheads and are difficult to intercept due to their velocity and maneuverability. 
• 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing: It allows for the rapid prototyping and production of spare parts, weapons, and even drones directly on the battlefield. 
  • This reduces supply chain dependency and the need for large inventories. 
• Biotechnology: It has the potential to enhance soldiers’ physical and cognitive abilities, such as creating advanced prosthetics or developing genetic modifications to improve endurance or resistance to fatigue. 
• Swarming Technology: It involves multiple small drones operating autonomously in coordinated patterns.  
  • Powered by AI, they can overwhelm defenses, enable reconnaissance, disrupt communications, and execute precision strikes, offering flexible and surprising capabilities in air and naval operations. 
• Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR): AR and VR are enhancing training methods by providing realistic simulations for soldiers without the need for actual combat.  
  • These technologies help train personnel in complex battle scenarios, improving decision-making and tactical responses. 
• Exoskeletons: Powered exoskeletons are designed to augment human strength and endurance, allowing soldiers to carry heavier loads and reduce fatigue during long operations.  

Why is Self-Reliance in Defence Innovation Strategically Important for India? 

• National Security & Self-Reliance: Indigenous technology reduces reliance on foreign arms, addressing challenges like CAATSA (Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act) and ensuring strategic autonomy. 
  • The vulnerability of foreign-controlled infrastructure, like Global Positioning System satellites (controlled by the US), could be a potential weakness during conflicts. 
  • NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation), India's regional satellite navigation system, ensures reliable, independent navigation capabilities, crucial for military operations and critical infrastructure without relying on foreign satellite systems. 
  • Atmanirbhar Bharat aims to achieve Rs 50,000 crore in defence exports by 2029, promoting the domestic production of key defense technologies. 
• Strategic Deterrence: Indigenous missiles like Agni-V and BrahMos provide India with a robust deterrence capability, critical for regional stability. 
  • India’s defense strategy includes strengthening nuclear deterrence through self-reliant missile systems and maintaining a credible second-strike capability. 
• Operational Flexibility: Technologies like Nirbhay missile and Dhanush artillery are built to suit India’s terrain and strategic needs, ensuring optimal performance. 
  • Indigenous systems can be quickly modified and integrated based on real-time feedback, strengthening national defense readiness. 
• Economic Growth & Industry Development: The defense sector under Make in India creates high-tech jobs and strengthens the domestic manufacturing ecosystem. 
  • Increasing exports like the Akash missile to countries like Sri Lanka and Myanmar supports economic growth and geopolitical influence. 
• Global Geopolitical Influence: Growing defense exports contribute to India's strategic partnerships, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region positioning India as a key global arms supplier. 

What are the Key India's Initiatives Related  Defence Startups? 

• Make in India (Defence): Launched in 2014 to promote domestic manufacturing of defence equipment.  Focuses on reducing import dependency and encouraging indigenous production.  
• Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020: Introduced categories like Buy Indian (IDDM) and Buy Global–Manufacture in India.  Prioritises domestic procurement with mandatory indigenous content thresholds.   
  • Defence capital acquisitions have increased from Rs. 74,000 crore in FY21-22 to Rs. 1.2 lakh crore in FY24-25 
• Defence Procurement Manual (DPM-2025): Provides assured orders for 5+5 years, offering stability and predictability for innovators. 
• Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy (DPEPP) 2020: Aims to develop a robust defence industrial ecosystem, including exports.  
• Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX): Encourages start-ups and MSMEs to innovate for defence needs.  Offers grants and procurement support; over 600 startups engaged as of 2025.  
• Technology Development Fund (TDF): Run by DRDO to support MSMEs and startups for developing defence technologies.  Funding limit raised to Rs 50 crore per project in FY25.  
• SRIJAN Portal: Online platform listing imported items for indigenisation by Indian industry.  Over 14,000 items indigenised till February 2025.  
• Positive Indigenisation Lists (PILs): Five lists issued banning import of over 5,500 items beyond set deadlines.  Enforced to ensure procurement only from domestic sources.  

Drishti Mains Question: 

Assess India’s preparedness for future warfare considering emerging technologies and domestic innovation ecosystems.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). 

1. What are the key emerging technologies shaping modern warfare? 
AI, autonomous systems, drones, cyber warfare, quantum computing, directed-energy weapons, hypersonic missiles, swarming drones, AR/VR, exoskeletons, and space-based capabilities.

2. Why is indigenous defence technology important for India? 
Ensures strategic autonomy, reduces foreign dependence, strengthens operational readiness, promotes economic growth, and enhances global defence influence. 

3. What is iDEX and its role in defence innovation? 
iDEX connects startups/MSMEs with armed forces, providing funding, procurement, and scaling support for indigenous defence technologies. 

4. What government policies support defence startups and MSMEs? 
Make in India (Defence), Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020, SRIJAN Portal, and Positive Indigenisation Lists provide funding, procurement, and regulatory support.

 

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)    

Prelims 

Q. What is “Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)”, sometimes seen in the news? (2018)   

(a) An Israeli radar system    

(b) India’s indigenous anti-missile programme    

(c) An American anti-missile system    

(d) A defence collaboration between Japan and South Korea.    

Ans: (c) 

Q. In the context of the Indian defence, what is ‘Dhruv’? (2008)

(a) Aircraft-carrying warship    

(b) Missile-carrying submarine    

(c) Advanced light helicopter    

(d) Intercontinental ballistic missile    

Ans: (c) 

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Mains 

Q. What are the different elements of cyber security ? Keeping in view the challenges in cyber security, examine the extent to which India has successfully developed a comprehensive National Cyber Security Strategy. (2022)