As the world advances technologically, traditional battlegrounds are giving way to a heady mix of hybrid, irregular, unrestricted and conventional warfare. The five known domains of conflict — land, sea, air, cyber and space — inclusive of electromagnetic warfare (EW), were ruthlessly exploited by Hamas to surprise the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) in its attack on October 7, 2023. Then came the pager and ICOM attack by Mossad against Hezbollah on September 17 and 18, 2024. Through a systematic process of luring targets away from their preferred means of communication — mobile networks — the operation laid bare the decisive relevance of the “cognitive domain” and, in doing so, fundamentally altered the character of warfare in the 21st century. The nature of conflict has transformed significantly.
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 an evolving global landscape.
What is sixth-generation warfare?
The concept of sixth-generation, or 6G, warfare — an anticipated new era of military strategy and technology — encompasses not only the physical and digital domains but also the cognitive and biological. It made a conspicuous entry into strategic discourse at the beginning of 2020, introduced as the first recommendation in the essay “Weaponization of Neurosciences” by Le Guyader, written for the “Warfighting 2040” study run by Allied Command Transformation (ACT). The executive summary of that study offered three recommendations:
• The “human mind” should be NATO’s next domain of operations;
• Any successor to the AWACS must address nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technologies and cognitive technologies (NBIC); and
• Global security itself is what is ultimately at stake.
For a country like India, with its strategic position and growing global influence, understanding and preparing for 6G warfare is no longer optional — it is imperative. Sixth-generation warfare extends beyond the conventional and cyber domains to integrate advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, biotechnology and cognitive warfare into a comprehensive, multi-domain approach to conflict.
The dimensions of 6G warfare
Sixth-generation warfare integrates multiple dimensions of conflict — physical, digital, cognitive and biological — into a coherent and multifaceted strategy.
Physical dimension
Traditional military operations on land, sea, air and space remain foundational, but they are now tightly interwoven with the domains described below.
Electromagnetic warfare
The electromagnetic spectrum is exploited through electronic support measures (ESM), electronic countermeasures (ECM) and electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM), enabling adversaries to blind, deceive or degrade an opponent’s sensors and communications.
Digital dimension
Cyber warfare — encompassing hacking, espionage and digital sabotage — targets both military and civilian infrastructure, often with effects indistinguishable from kinetic attack.
Cognitive dimension
Perhaps the most insidious frontier, the cognitive domain involves psychological operations (psyops), information warfare and the deliberate manipulation of public perception and decision-making. A pertinent illustration is the open funding announcement by the US consulate in Hyderabad, which stated that it would award grants between $100,000 and $175,000 for programmes to build skills and training in countering disinformation among Telugu-, Marathi-, Bengali- and Hindi-speaking journalists working in media outlets and digital platforms in Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata and New Delhi. Whether well-intentioned or not, such programmes demonstrate how the cognitive battlefield now extends to newsrooms and social media feeds.
Biological dimension
Biotechnology and bioengineering — potentially involving genetic manipulation and biological weapons — represent the most alarming frontier of 6G warfare, one that demands urgent preparedness.
The potential impact on India’s defence strategy
India, with its complex security environment and formidable geopolitical challenges — a hostile neighbour to the north and a persistent adversary to the west — must adapt swiftly to the evolving nature of 6G warfare. Several aspects of our defence strategy will be directly affected.
Enhanced situational awareness
Leveraging AI and quantum computing for real-time data analysis will dramatically enhance India’s ability to anticipate and respond to threats across all domains simultaneously.
Integrated defence systems
India must develop integrated defence systems that combine traditional military capabilities with cyber defence, space assets and bio-defence mechanisms — a seamless architecture that leaves no seam for an adversary to exploit.
Cyber resilience
Strengthening cyber infrastructure and capabilities to defend against attacks, espionage and information warfare is non-negotiable. The protection of critical national infrastructure — power grids, financial systems, communication networks — must be treated as a matter of national survival.
Information dominance
India must invest in psyops and information warfare capabilities to influence adversaries, maintain public morale and sustain popular support during conflicts. The information space is now a genuine theatre of war.
Biotechnological preparedness
Preparing for potential bio-warfare scenarios by advancing research in biotechnology and developing robust countermeasures against biological threats is an area India cannot afford to neglect.
The counter-strategy: what India must do
India must adopt a multifaceted approach, encompassing technological investment, policy reform and international collaboration. The following steps are critical.
Invest in research and development
India must significantly increase funding for R&D in AI, quantum computing, cyber technologies and biotechnology. Dedicated research centres must be established, fostering collaboration among the government, the military and the private sector. The divide between the laboratory and the battlefield must be bridged.
Build cyber capabilities
Enhancing both cyber defence and offensive cyber capabilities is essential. India must establish a robust framework for cyber intelligence, threat detection and incident response, while training a skilled cyber workforce and promoting cyber hygiene across all sectors of government and society.
Develop cognitive warfare strategies
India must invest in psyops and information warfare while simultaneously building capabilities to counter misinformation and propaganda. Enhancing public resilience against psychological manipulation — and fostering national unity in the face of such attempts — is as important as any kinetic capability.
Strengthen international alliances
Collaborating with international partners to share intelligence, technology and best practices is indispensable. Participating in joint exercises and developing coordinated strategies to address common threats will multiply India’s effective strength in all domains.
Reform policy and regulatory frameworks
Updating defence policies and regulatory frameworks to address the complexities of 6G warfare is overdue. Legal and ethical guidelines for the use of advanced technologies in warfare must be clearly established, both to govern India’s own conduct and to set the terms of international engagement.
Prioritize public awareness and education
Raising public awareness about the evolving nature of warfare — and educating citizens on the importance of national security — is a strategic necessity, not merely a civic nicety. Promoting STEM education will build the skilled workforce India needs to compete and prevail in this domain for decades to come.
The imperative of proactive preparedness
Sixth-generation warfare represents a paradigm shift in the nature of conflict, integrating advanced technologies and entirely new dimensions of battle. For India, preparing for this new era is not merely a strategic necessity — it is 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 an evolving global landscape.
The future of warfare is complex and multifaceted. India must be proactive and resilient in its approach to navigate the challenges ahead and emerge stronger. The adversary will not wait for us to be ready. We must be ready before the adversary strikes.