Multi-domain operations are the future
Gen Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff, during the ‘Parivartan Chintan II’ held in New Delhi in May 2024, emphasised the need for expediting the progress of initiatives linked to jointness and integration as these were to pave the way for theaterisation and creation of ‘multi-domain response capable Indian Armed Forces.
Multi Domain Operations (MDO) are a new warfighting concept to outmanoeuvre adversaries. It is a three-phase strategy to deter, disrupt and defeat the enemy with lethal and non-lethal effects. A joint and integrated approach that exploits the strength and capability of the three services’ and their domains of land, sea, air, space and cyber space. It aims at synchronising major system and data sources across all domains to create multiple complementary threats and exploit enemies’ vulnerabilities.
MDO uses all sensor and the best positioned shooters to accomplish objectives. Technology complexity and data network challenges are evidently high. MDO Command, Control and Communications (C3) structure will have inputs from all sensors for optimum engagement using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to avert information overload, a big challenge for commanders.
All sensors and information input sources will have to be hosted on a common MDO data/communications architecture, the most critical being the tactical communications systems. Executers will receive inputs and instructions from MDO C3 structure to carry out their task. If links to the main structure are not available, say jammed, then mission command characteristics of distributed control will ensure that operations continue. This tactical doctrine is crucial for the air force, air defence and the special forces to empower subordinate decision-making and enable the exploitation of speed, flexibility and versatility of these forces.
Evolving concept
MDO Strategies differ from traditional warfare in several key ways. Traditional warfare may focus on one or two domains. For example, the 1962 Sino-India war was fought only on land and the 1965 Indo-Pak War only on land and in air. The Korean War (1950-1953) and the Sino-Vietnam War (1955-1975) were mostly fought on land and air with intense guerrilla action thrown in.
Integration across domains starts with synchronized planning to achieve unified objectives like in China’s Eastern Theatre Command Exercise Joint Sword-2024A, involving the army, navy, air force, and rocket force. The drill comprised operations in the airspace and waters around Taiwan Island in a bid to test MDO coordination and joint strike capabilities.
Recent attacks on Israel have demonstrated that even for a short burst of time the battlespace can get very congested and the need to access information not just in real time but before time, therefore, has never been so important. Time and space have always been a vital factor of war. The ability to move quickly and decisively can dictate the outcome of battles, while holding strategic positions can determine the flow of entire campaigns. Adapting to changing conditions on the battlefield by rapidly shifting resources and tactics across domains is essential for the success of MDO.
Information Warfare represents a rapidly evolving and changing face of war. It is directed by a rapid evolution of cyberspace, microcomputers and AI. Information warfare, electronic warfare and cyber warfare all exploit the reach of the electromagnetic spectrum.
A leap from 5G to 6G in data communications is set to revolutionise not just mobile communications but the entire digital ecosystem with speeds that allow for instantaneous data transfer, ultra-low latency and the ability to connect a massive number of devices. Imagine the immersive VR experiences, advanced IoT applications, and real-time ISR (Information Surveillance and Reconnaissance) and instant sensor-to-shooter speeds so essential to defeat hypersonic weapons. Hypersonic weapons require vast amounts of energy, highly manoeuvrable missiles and accurate low-latency communications to counter erratic flight patterns and countermeasures or address time-sensitive targets.
Despite its very strong credentials, MDO has many challenges – it is an evolving concept and requires understanding and training. Commanders will have to think on their feet and the soldiers be multi-skilled in addition to being the traditional ‘bayonet strength’. Only recently, an Army Commander suggested that every soldier needs to be capable of handling the First Person View (FPV) Drones. AI will play a crucial role in MDO by enhancing decision making, improving situational awareness and enabling rapid response across various domains. AI too, like MDO, is an evolving technology in warfare and requires time to mature. The challenge lies in building a narrative -- the political leadership and national security agencies will have to train hard to be able to handle an information overload and still get the narrative right. It is then for the military leaders to plan and execute an armed conflict if required.
MDO involves multiple organisations and the sensor-to-shooter canvas is vast and extremely crowded. C3 systems will consist of multiple networks and be intensely complex. Key requirements would be high bandwidth, availability and mobility, anywhere-to-anywhere connectivity and seamless integration. While integration of systems is easy, integration of the minds is tougher. If the challenging situation in India’s neighbourhood is not sufficient incentive to take practical steps towards integration of minds, nothing else will achieve it.
Deterrence, a part of the three phased MDP strategy involves competing successfully in all domains short of conflict and deterring a potential enemy with display of strength and intent. Under the umbrella of a know all social media, the tools of deterrence must exhibit strength – bluffs will not work.
If deterrence fails, the next step is to penetrate and disrupt enemy air defence (AD) systems. There has been ample demonstration of a near impregnable AD system in Israel and multiple weapons like rockets, drones and missiles it has to encounter. Degradation and destruction of AD systems also enable operational and tactical manoeuvre of own forces. It is hard to imagine the state of Israel without an impregnable AD system.
COMPLEX DOMAINS
The final victory will come with the defeat of the enemy in all domains.
Cyberspace Domain: This new and evolving domain involving the electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) and the digital environment comprising of computer networks, internet and communication systems. Its strength is seamless integration and reach. Cyberspace operations involve defending these systems and networks, exploiting an adversary’s networks to gain information and attacking them to gain dominance over the entire spectrum of military operations. The Ukraine war has seen extensive use of EW by both sides. Russia has deployed advanced EW systems to jam Ukrainian communications and GPS signals, while Ukraine has used EW to disrupt Russian drones and missile guidance systems. EW is turning out to be the most effective countermeasure against drones, especially drone swarms.
The Space Domain: Everything beyond Earth’s atmosphere, including satellites, space stations and celestial bodies constitute the space domain. Military space operations involve using space-based assets for communications, navigation, ISR, missile warning and weather forecast. For example, China's Strategic Support Force is responsible for space, cyber and electronic warfare operations. China has been rapidly developing its space capabilities, including anti-satellite weapons and reconnaissance satellites. Space assets do face many challenges as they are vulnerable to anti-satellite weapons and cyberattacks. This can be countered by deploying radiation-hardened satellites and implementing advanced cybersecurity protocols. An increasing number of satellites can lead to congestion and potential collisions. Fusing space and cyberspace into traditional domains enhance military effectiveness but requires careful planning.
STRATEGY FOR INDIA
India has no choice but to embrace MDO. A four-pronged strategy has been suggested to deter, disrupt and defeat:
First, in the short-term, traditional physical domains must be stabilised, with critical deficiencies in the Armed Forces being plugged. Learning from the war in the Middle East, the most critical system requiring attention may be the AD. Also, a rapid deployment of rockets and missiles is essential for creditable deterrence. Drones have proven to be very effective weapons in modern warfare. Their growth and integration with the existing philosophies and capabilities is essential.
Second, C3 networks of all the services need to be integrated seamlessly. These must be hardened and protected against cyber and EW threats. Offensive EW and cyber warfare capabilities too are crucial for maintaining a competitive edge in modern warfare. The battlefield requires the most mobile and the most survivable data and communications network of all -- the Tactical Communication Network. Bandwidth, quality of services, security, mobility and interoperability requirements are high. Tactical networks reach out to the most forward location and beyond into the enemy territory. A modern Tactical Communication Nework is essential to fight the MDO battle.
Third, for long term, a pilot project must start so that the true challenge of creating MDO environment is grasped. Doctrines, policies and procedures have to be drawn and shared with the environment, which must include the weapons development agencies. We have many weapons systems for which experimental and prototypes have been developed. These must graduate to a production stage at the earliest in view of the extremely tense and rapidly developing geostrategic situation in West Asia, Eastern Europe and the South China Sea.
Finally, training and education must be enhanced to include an understanding of the newer domains and the associated ‘Art of War’. There has to be a greater emphasis on critical thinking and problem-solving skills at the commanders level, who must not be overwhelmed by the availability of information and who must delegate and trust their subordinate commanders to deliver at their end. Raising Integrated Battle Groups are a good beginning due to their enhanced agility and sharper response capabilities.
The writer has served as Additional Director General in the Directorate of Signals at Army Headquarters
