Must be ready for grey zone and hybrid warfare: Rajnath Singh

NEW DELHI: Defence minister Rajnath Singh Tuesday said India needs to be prepared for adaptive defence and its strike forces should be ready for ‘grey zone’ and ‘hybrid’ warfare where traditional ways to defend have been challenged.

Speaking at inaugural Delhi Defence Dialogue on the theme ‘Adaptive Defence: Navigating the Changing Landscape of Modern Warfare ’, organised by Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, Singh stressed on continuous adaptation by defence forces to deal with emerging challenges. The terms ‘grey zone’ and ‘hybrid warfare’ refer to conflicts between peace and full-scale military battles.

From traditional border-related threats, the challenges have shifted to unconventional warfare such as terrorism , cyber attacks and hybrid warfare. “Govt recognised the need for an adaptive defence strategy in a changing geopolitical and technological scenario, and has taken several initiatives to build a robust and self-reliant ecosystem,” he said.

This includes establishing the institution of Chief of Defence Staff , promoting jointness among the three services, improvising the training curriculum and forging new defence partnerships around the world, he added.

Singh described ‘adaptive defence’ as not merely a strategic choice but a necessity. “As the threats to our nation have evolved, so too must our defence systems and strategies. We should be prepared for all future contingencies. It is more than just protecting our borders; it is about securing our future,” he said.

He stressed the need for the nation’s military and defence mechanisms to continuously evolve to effectively counter emerging threats. “Adaptive defence is not merely responding to what has happened but anticipating what could happen, and preparing for it proactively. In essence, it involves cultivating a mindset and capability to adapt, innovate and thrive, even in the face of unpredictable and evolving circumstances,” he said.

Singh said in the present age of digitisation and information overload, the world is facing an unprecedented scale of psychological warfare. There is a need for employing adaptive defence strategies to counter the menace of information warfare, he said.

“India is aiming to become a drone hub of the world as drone and swarm technologies are bringing fundamental changes in modern warfare. We are working to improve R&D through reliable certification mechanisms, and facilitate Indian intellectual property creation in this sector,” he said.