Armed Forces Joint Doctrine for Cyberspace Operations Unveiled

The armed forces have introduced a new joint doctrine for cyberspace operations, a significant step forward. This comes at a time when cyberspace operations have gained paramount importance in modern warfare, especially with China’s bolstered cyber-warfare and cyber espionage capabilities. The doctrine, unveiled by Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan in the presence of the three Service Chiefs on Tuesday, is described as a ‘keystone publication’ that will not only provide crucial guidance to commanders – the key players – in planning and executing cyberspace operations in today’s intricate military operating environment but also has the potential to reshape the landscape of modern warfare, as stated by the Defence Ministry.

China has made significant strides in the cyber-warfare domain, arming itself with cyber weapons capable of incapacitating or obliterating an adversary’s military assets and strategic networks. These capabilities extend to critical sectors such as energy, banking, transport, and communication grids, even before the initiation of a physical conflict.  In contrast, India’s progress in this arena has been lacklustre, with the government’s 2019 decision to only approve a modest tri-service Defence Cyber Agency falling short of the comprehensive Cyber Command that the armed forces had advocated for. It is imperative for India to bolster its cyber-warfare capabilities to counter potential threats effectively.

According to the Defence Ministry, the new joint doctrine is a ‘significant step’ that gives impetus to the ongoing integration process actively pursued by the Army, Indian Air Force, and Navy.

“In addition to the traditional domains of warfare, including Land, Sea, and Air, Cyberspace has emerged as a crucial and challenging domain in modern warfare. Unlike territorial limits in the domains of land, sea, and air, cyberspace is a global common and hence has shared sovereignty. Hostile actions in cyberspace can impact the Nation’s economy, cohesion, political decision-making, and the Nation’s…