How Computer Warfare is Becoming a Lethal Part of Pentagon's Arsenal

How Computer Warfare is Becoming a Lethal Part of Pentagon’s Arsenal

Computer Warfare: US used the cyberweapons in the venezuela and attack on Iranian Nuclear facility last year reflects the growing importance of the fusing computer network warfare with the rest of military arsenal.

Table of Contents

Context

US used cyberweapons in the venezuela, and an attack on an Iranian Nuclear facility last year reflects the growing importance of fusing computer network warfare with the rest of the military arsenal.

Cyber Warfare

With the emerging technologies and increased reliance on IT infrastructure in almost every domain, cyberspace has emerged as a new arena for warfare among countries in the 21st century.
It generally refers to ‘use of internet-based invisible forces as an instrument of a state policy to sabotage and espionage against other nations.’

Key Differences Between Cyber Warfare and Traditional Warfare

Aspect	Cyber Warfare	Traditional Warfare
Theatre of War	Conducted in cyberspace, recognised as the fifth domain of warfare.	Conducted in physical domains such as land, sea and air.
Nature of Space	Borderless and undefined, with no clear national boundaries.	Geographically defined by territorial, air and maritime boundaries.
Attribution of Attack	Difficult to identify attackers due to anonymity and spoofing.	Relatively easy attribution through visible military forces.
Physical Contact	No direct physical engagement between opposing forces.	Direct physical confrontation between armed forces.
Casualties	Usually no immediate loss of life, though indirect impacts exist.	Involves direct human casualties and physical destruction.
Threshold of Conflict	Operates below declared war, enabling deniability.	Often involves clear acts of war or formal conflict.

Conceptual Evolution of Cyber Warfare

From support to strike capability: Cyber tools have evolved from intelligence and espionage roles to instruments capable of producing battlefield and strategic effects.
Fifth domain of warfare: Cyberspace now stands alongside land, sea, air and space as a recognised domain of military operations.

Integration with Conventional Military Operations

Cyber–kinetic fusion: Cyberattacks are increasingly used alongside airstrikes, special forces and electronic warfare to paralyse defences before physical engagement.
Force multiplier effect: Disabling radars, power and communications enhances the effectiveness and survivability of conventional forces.

Global Expansion of Cyber Military Capabilities

Major powers including the US, China and Russia are investing heavily in cyber commands, offensive cyber tools and cyber-enabled intelligence, treating cyberspace as a permanent arena of strategic competition.

Examples of Cyber warfare

Venezuela Operation: The United States Cyber Command reportedly shut down power grids, radar systems and military radios during the Venezuela operation.
China’s Approach: Volt Typhoon Operation
- Pre-positioning strategy: China’s Volt Typhoon campaign focused on infiltrating US critical infrastructure networks near military bases.
- Crisis-delay objective: Aimed to disrupt power, water and communications to slow US mobilisation during a Pacific conflict.
Precedents of Lethal Cyber Operation: Earlier operations such as Stuxnet proved that cyber tools can cause physical destruction, reinforcing the idea that cyber warfare can produce real-world, lethal consequences.

India’s Preparedness in Cyber Warfare and Defence

Strategic Recognition of Cyberspace
- India officially recognises cyberspace as a domain of warfare, alongside land, sea, air and space.
- Cyber threats are viewed not merely as law-and-order issues but as national security challenges with military implications.
Institutional Architecture
- Defence Cyber Agency acts as the nodal body for coordinating cyber operations across the Army, Navy and Air Force.
- Works under the Integrated Defence Staff, reflecting a joint-services approach to cyber warfare.
Military Network Hardening: Efforts to secure command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems
Cyber–Space–AI Convergence: Integration of artificial intelligence and data analytics for threat detection, predictive cyber defence and faster response to complex cyberattacks.
Capability Development and Skill Building: Efforts to build indigenous cyber tools, reduce dependence on foreign software and enhance technological sovereignty.
International Cooperation
- India participates actively in UN processes on responsible state behaviour in cyberspace.
- Engages in bilateral and multilateral cyber dialogues with key partners to share best practices.