The key to India’s multi-domain deterrence, capabilities
A robust defence-industrial base will shape India’s multi-domain deterrence and resilience, especially against China
360° Perspective Analysis
Deep-dive into Geography, Polity, Economy, History, Environment & Social dimensions — AI-powered, on-demand
Context
An article by a retired Lieutenant General analyzes the strategic imperative for India to enhance its military deterrence capabilities against China. It argues that instead of revolutionary technological leaps or minor tweaks, India should adopt a 'middle path'. This involves strengthening critical 'enabling layers'—like command, intelligence, and strike capabilities—to build a credible multi-domain force while addressing systemic weaknesses in its defence-industrial base and procurement processes.
UPSC Perspectives
National Security & Defence
The article highlights the urgent need to bridge the military capability gap with the by developing a robust deterrence strategy. It advocates for focusing on 'enabling layers' to create a future-ready multi-domain force. A key area of vulnerability identified is India's fledgling C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) network. Dominating the C4ISR battle is crucial for situational awareness—the ability to 'see' the battlefield allows a force to fight effectively. The proposed solution includes deploying numerous, affordable ISR platforms and enhancing cyber and electronic warfare capabilities to protect one's own assets while degrading the adversary's. Furthermore, the concept of Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) is central, which describes the synchronized use of capabilities across all domains (land, air, sea, space, cyber) to overwhelm an adversary. This doctrinal shift is essential for India to counter near-peer adversaries like China effectively.
Governance & Defence Economy
A core argument is that India’s defence-industrial base is not structured to deliver capabilities at the required speed and scale. This is a governance failure, not a technological one. The article calls for systemic reforms, including removing red tape, ensuring budgetary stability, and providing long-term contracts to foster a more efficient ecosystem. It strongly advocates for a mindset shift to recognize the private sector as an efficient partner in building military systems. This aligns with government initiatives like the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) scheme, which aims to engage MSMEs, start-ups, and innovators to develop advanced technologies. The iDEX scheme, managed by the , provides grants to startups to foster co-creation and self-reliance. The article’s emphasis on reforming the procurement system resonates with the objectives of the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP), which aims to streamline procurement and boost 'Make in India'. The DAP 2020, for instance, introduced new categories to encourage foreign companies to manufacture in India and simplified procedures for indigenous development.
Polity & Institutional Reforms
The article implicitly links military strength to political and strategic autonomy, arguing that a credible deterrent is necessary to alter China's military confidence. It underscores the role of the political leadership in making "urgent, hard policy choices." This involves not just what to buy or build, but also driving deep institutional reforms. The mention of "theatre-isation" points to the ongoing, major restructuring of India's military into integrated theatre commands. According to recent reports, India is on the verge of establishing three adversary-focused commands (Northern, Western, and Maritime) to enhance jointness and operational synergy among the Army, Navy, and Air Force. This reform, a key mandate for the , aims to move from a service-specific command structure to a unified one, which is critical for executing Multi-Domain Operations effectively. The article correctly notes that theatre-isation alone is insufficient without "deep doctrinal convergence," highlighting that structural changes must be accompanied by a shared understanding of modern warfare across services.