Description

Disclaimer: Copyright infringement not intended.

Context:

Western intelligence agencies accuse Russia of increasingly engaging in hybrid warfare since invading Ukraine.

What is Hybrid Warfare?

It means broadening military operations to include espionage, sabotage and cyberattacks, as well as engaging in election interference, propaganda or disinformation campaigns to weaken and destabilise the enemy from within.

Purpose:

To create confusion, disrupt the enemy’s decision-making, and exploit vulnerabilities, without relying on a full-scale traditional war.

Factors for the use of Hybrid Warfare:

Avoid Direct Confrontation	During the Cold War, the US and the Soviet Union engaged in hybrid warfare to avoid full-scale confrontation.
Maintain Military Might	Post-Soviet Union, Russia’s diminished military power led to the increased use of hybrid warfare to avoid direct conflict with the West.
Inexpensive War	The rising costs of conventional warfare in the nuclear age make hybrid warfare a more feasible alternative.
Increased Cyber Networks	The reliance on digital infrastructure has created new avenues for conflict such as cyberattacks to disrupt infrastructure or steal data.
Rise of social media	Social media platforms enable the spread of disinformation, influencing public opinion and destabilizing governments.

Recent Usage:

Hybrid warfare has been increasingly employed by various state and non-state actors in recent conflicts.

In the 2006 Israel-Lebanon War, Hezbollah used a combination of guerrilla tactics, advanced technology, and information warfare.

Russia deployed hybrid warfare strategies during the 2014 annexation of Crimea, utilizing disinformation, economic manipulation, and proxy forces.

China has also embraced hybrid warfare, particularly through its concept of "Unrestricted Warfare," which advocates shifting violence from traditional military conflict to political, economic and technological domains.

Recently, concerns arose when it was reported that Chinese company Zhenhua Data Information Technology Co. was monitoring over 10,000 Indian individuals and organizations, showcasing the growing role of cyber and information warfare.

How to deal with hybrid warfare?

Russia is conducting many different hybrid warfare pinpricks across Europe.

Adopting Multinational Frameworks	Threats from hybrid warfare require international cooperation. National governments should coordinate to detect and respond to hybrid warfare. Development of multinational frameworks to facilitate cross-border collaboration.
Institutional Measures	Conduct self-assessments of critical functions and vulnerabilities across all sectors. Regularly upgrade and maintain critical systems, e.g., Fintech systems.
Training of Armed Forces	Training in special battle techniques and overcoming urban combat stress. Training in technological tools like smart robots and UAVs. Use of intelligence tools such as Real-Time Situational Awareness (RTSA) for precise operations.
Strengthening Democratic Institutions	Strengthen democratic institutions to counter disinformation and radicalization. Inclusion of Civil Society Institutions, e.g., think tanks, to enhance government capabilities in countering hybrid threats.
Investing in Journalism	Invest in journalism to improve media literacy and accurate reporting on hybrid threats. Helps citizens understand hybrid warfare better and reduces misinformation.

India’s Preparedness for Hybrid Warfare

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Theaterisation	Created in 2019 to integrate the Army, Navy, and Air Force, overseeing the modernization of strategies and operations for better coordination and efficiency.
Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs)	Restructured military formations for fast-response units capable of addressing conventional and hybrid threats.
Defence Cyber Agency	Established in 2021 to tackle cyber threats to national security, enhancing India's cyber defense capabilities.
'Make in India' in Defense	Promotes domestic manufacturing of defense equipment, reducing dependence on imports and enhancing self-sufficiency.
Intelligence Agencies	Agencies like RAW, IB, and NTRO gather intelligence to combat and neutralize hybrid threats.
Countering Financing of Terrorism	Stricter anti-money laundering laws and international cooperation (e.g., FATF) to disrupt terrorist financing.
International Cooperation	Collaborates with the U.S., Australia, and Japan within the Quad framework on cybersecurity, maritime security, and counterterrorism.
Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence 2024	Focuses on hybrid warfare preparedness, one of the 17 subjects for deliberations in 2024 to strengthen national defense strategy.

Source:

INDIAN EXPRESS

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Discuss the concept of hybrid warfare and its implications for national security. How can India strengthen its defense and cybersecurity infrastructure to effectively counter the challenges posed by hybrid warfare? (250 words)