Role of Niche and Disruptive Technologies in India's Deterrence and War Fighting Capabilities

Last wars have taught that new wars would be different. The new age technologies have revolutionized the industry and in turn industry is revolutionizing warfare. The distinction between a soldier, a civilian and a machine is blurring. All are gradually becoming one, making warfare more complex and incrementally based on technology. India needs to build a new Defence Industrial Complex, breaking the shackles of legacy. Doctrines of future warfighting must be juxtaposed with doctrines of Defence capability development based on indigenous systems. The wars are shifting towards automation, demanding a transition from analogous systems of warfighting to autonomous systems. It is the responsibility for the military to lead the industry to transform into meeting future needs in the battlefield.

The three critical components of technological development are based on Power, Materials and Electronics (PME). Once PME is in place, the next driver would be the ICT to build systems of systems. Speed, stealth and accuracy would be battle wining if systems are secure. The warfare in this monograph has been divided stages such as 'Non - Contact and Non- Kinetic applications', 'Non- Kinetic and Kinetic attacks', 'Contact and Non-Kinetic applications' and Contact and Kinetic attacks. As also it covers various technologies to fight multi-domain operations. It recommends that Military must quickly define and adopt 'Military 4.5' standards which means lead the industry beyond Industry 4.0.