India is actively increasing its investments in cyber and space warfare capabilities, but significant gaps remain when compared to its primary adversaries.

While the establishment of dedicated tri-service agencies is a major step, the pace of development and investment needs to accelerate to effectively counter modern threats.

Cyber Warfare Capabilities

India has made a concerted effort to enhance its cyber defense and offense capabilities. The creation of the Defence Cyber Agency (DCyA) in 2018, which became fully operational in 2021, is a key move toward a unified, tri-service approach to cyber security. The agency is responsible for protecting military networks, conducting offensive operations, and formulating long-term cyber warfare doctrine. However, India's cyber infrastructure remains vulnerable to state-sponsored attacks, and it is still working to eliminate the use of foreign hardware and software in its military networks.

• Cyber Threats: India has faced numerous cyberattacks, allegedly from state-sponsored groups in China and Pakistan, targeting critical infrastructure and military networks.

• Response: The DCyA and other national cybersecurity bodies are responsible for mounting surveillance, hacking into networks, and recovering data. The "Make in India" initiative is being pushed to develop indigenous hardware and software to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.

• Gap: Despite these efforts, India still lags behind nations like China, which has a massive, state-sponsored cyber warfare apparatus and a proven track record of sophisticated cyber espionage.

Space Warfare Capabilities

India's space capabilities have grown substantially, driven by the civilian Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The country has developed significant assets with military applications, but a dedicated military space program is still evolving.

• Defence Space Agency (DSA): The establishment of the Defence Space Agency (DSA) in 2019 marked India's formal entry into military space. The agency is tasked with operating India's space warfare and satellite intelligence assets. The DSA is leading a project to launch 52 dedicated defense satellites by 2029 to enhance surveillance over China and Pakistan.

• Anti-Satellite (ASAT) Capabilities: India demonstrated its ASAT capability in 2019 with Mission Shakti, a successful test that destroyed a low-Earth orbit satellite. This capability provides a credible deterrent against any attempt to blind India's military by targeting its space assets.

• Satellites and Surveillance: India operates over 50 satellites, including dedicated military satellites from the GSAT-7 series, which provide communication and surveillance capabilities for the Navy and Air Force.

• Gap: China, however, has a much larger fleet of satellites and has developed a wide range of counter-space capabilities, including direct ascent anti-satellite missiles, co-orbital satellites, and directed energy weapons. China's military-civil fusion strategy allows it to leverage its vast civilian space industry for military purposes, a model India is trying to replicate.

By John Uju-Ikeji