By: Major General Sudhakar Jee, VSM (Retd)

As the world advances technologically, the traditional battlegrounds leapfrog to a heady mix of hybrid/irregular/unrestricted and conventional warfare. The Land, Sea, Air, Cyber and Space, the known five domains so far, inclusive of the Electromagnetic Warfare (EW) was exploited by Hamas to surprise   the Israel Defence Force (IDF) in the former’s attack against the latter on October 07, 2023. The Pager/ the ICom attack by Mossad against Hezbollah on September 17-18, 2024 through a systematic process of preparing the potential target by luring them away from preferred means of communication, ie mobile communication highlights the relevance and importance of the “cognitive domain” thereby altering the foundational character of any warfare in 21st century. The nature of conflict, thus has transformed significantly.

India’s counter-strategy to 6G warfare encompasses the following-

1. Seeing the concept of 6G warfare transforming traditional warfare methods, especially with the inclusion of cognitive and biological dimensions. How does this shift affect India’s defense preparedness.

2. In light of recent cyber threats and hybrid warfare tactics targeting India, what are the key areas where India should focus its technological advancements to stay resilient and prepare for future conflicts.

3. With 6G warfare encompassing domains like AI, quantum computing, and bioengineering, what role can international collaboration and policy reforms play in strengthening India’s defense capabilities, and how should India approach these global partnerships.

Weaponisation of Neurosciences

With the advent of   the concept of 6G warfare – an anticipated new era of military strategy and technology that encompasses not only the physical and digital but also the cognitive and biological domains has made a conspicuous entry into warfare in the 21st century.  The concept for a sixth domain of operations emerged at the beginning of 2020. It was introduced as the first recommendation in the essay “Weaponization of neurosciences” (Le Guyander, 2000) written for the “Warfighting 2040” study run by Allied Command Transformation (ACT). Its executive summary offered the three following recommendations:

• “Human mind” should be NATO’s next domain of operations

• AWACS successor must address Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, Information technologies and Cognitive technologies (NBIC)

• Global security is what’s at stake today.

Environmental Scan of India

Increasing bomb hoaxes and train derailments in India in 2024, as part of the ongoing hybrid/irregular/gray-zone warfare by forces inimical to India’s progress and growth, highlight the evolving nature of cybercrimes predominantly targeting the economy of the country. The civil aviation, infrastructure, communication network, schools, hospitals and malls among others being the major victims of such threats,are likely to retard  the predictable growth chart  if not prevented from future onslaughts. As the rise in such cases is mainly due to use of end-to-end encryption of email by the attacker, it makes detection that much more impossible.  Therefore, besides being a security hazard, such threats also cause significant economic losses and merit preventive measures at the earliest.

For a country like India, with its strategic position and growing global influence, understanding and preparing for 6G warfare is imperative. With an aim to explore the concept of 6G warfare, its potential impact on India’s defense strategy, and the steps India must take to stay ahead in this evolving landscape, understanding 6G warfare, or sixth-generation warfare that extends beyond the conventional and cyber domains to include advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, biotechnology, and cognitive warfare is paramount.

6G Warfare

 The 6 G Warfare integrates multiple dimensions of conflict – physical, digital, cognitive, and biological – to create a comprehensive and multifaceted approach to warfare :- 

• Physical Dimension: Traditional military operations are on land, sea, air, and space. 

• Electromagnetic Warfare (EW): Exploitation of the electromagnetic spectrum by Electronic Support Measures (ESM), Electronic   Counter Measures (ECM), Electronic Counter Counter Measures (ECCM).

• Digital Dimension: Cyber warfare, encompassing hacking, cyber espionage, and digital sabotage. 

• Cognitive Dimension (Hacking of Human Mind): Psychological operations (psy-ops), information warfare, and influencing public perception and decision-making. One of the methods for example is what the US Consulate Hyderabad, in an open funding announcement, has published in multimedia platforms that it would be awarding grants between US$ 100,000 and US$ 175,000 for programs to build skills and training for Countering Disinformation for Telugu, Marathi, Bengali, and Hindi-speaking journalists working in media outlets and digital platforms in Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata and New Delhi.

• Biological Dimension: Biotechnology and bioengineering, potentially involving genetic manipulation and bio-weapons.

 Potential Impact on India’s Defense Strategy 

• India, with its complex security environment and geopolitical challenges, must adapt to the evolving nature of 6G warfare. This new paradigm will influence several aspects of India’s defense strategy :-
• Enhanced Situational Awareness. 
• Leveraging AI and quantum computing for real-time data analysis.
• Decision-making. This would enhance India’s ability to anticipate and respond to threats. 

• Integrated Defense Systems: Developing integrated defense systems that combine traditional military capabilities with cyber defense, space assets, and bio-defense mechanisms. 

• Cyber Resilience: Strengthening cyber infrastructure and capabilities to defend against cyber-attacks, espionage, and information warfare. Ensuring the protection of critical infrastructure and national assets.

•  Information Dominance: Investing in psy-ops and information warfare capabilities to influence adversaries and maintain public morale and support during conflicts.

•  Biotechnological Advancements: Preparing for potential bio-warfare scenarios by advancing research in biotechnology and developing countermeasures against bio-threats. 

India’s Counter Strategy- Steps India Must Take To effectively prepare Against 6G Warfare

India must adopt a multifaceted approach, encompassing technological advancements, policy reforms, and international collaboration :-

• Investment in Research and Development: India mustincrease funding for R&D in AI, quantum computing, cyber technologies, and biotechnology. 
• Establishing dedicated research centres and fostering collaboration between the government, military, and private sector. 
• Building Cyber Capabilities: Enhancing cyber defense and offense capabilities. 
• Establishing a robust framework for cyber intelligence, threat detection, and incident response.
•  Training a skilled cyber workforce and promoting cyber hygiene. 
• Developing Cognitive Warfare Strategies: Investing in psy-ops and information warfare. 
• Building capabilities to counter misinformation and propaganda.
•  Enhancing public resilience against psychological manipulation and fostering national unity. 
• Strengthening International Alliances: Collaborating with international partners to share intelligence, technology, and best practices. 
• Participating in joint exercises and developing coordinated strategies to address common threats.
•  Policy Reforms and Regulatory Frameworks: Updating defense policies and regulatory frameworks to address the complexities of 6G warfare. Ensuring legal and ethical guidelines for the use of advanced technologies in warfare. 
• Public Awareness and Education: Raising awareness about the evolving nature of warfare among the public and educating them on the importance of national security. 
• Promoting STEM education to build a skilled workforce for the future. 

Conclusion

6G Warfare represents a paradigm shift in the nature of conflict, integrating advanced technologies and new dimensions of warfare. For India, preparing for this new era is not just a strategic necessity but a national imperative. By investing in technological advancements, building robust cyber and cognitive warfare capabilities, and fostering international collaboration, India can safeguard its national security and maintain its strategic edge in the evolving global landscape. The future of warfare is complex and multifaceted, and India must be proactive and resilient in its approach to navigate these challenges and emerge stronger.

Major General Sudhakar Jee, VSM (Retd) has been General Officer Commanding, 3 Infantry Division and Colonel of the Mahar Regiment of the Indian Army. The General Officer is now an internationally renowned defence and strategic affairs analyst who often appears on leading television news channels for discussions and whose articles and comments are regularly published in reputed print media publications

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