The nature of warfare has evolved dramatically over the last few decades, driven largely by advances in technology and a shift towards prolonged, unending conflicts. At the heart of this transformation lies space technology, which has not only become a pivotal domain but has also intertwined itself with cyber capabilities to redefine how nations engage in war.
At the 2025 edition of Defsat hosted at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi, defence experts gathered to discuss AI-enabled Mosaic Warfare: Transforming Multi-Domain Operations for Next-Gen Defence Space. Major General Rakesh Pandey noted, “Wars are getting prolonged and unending. Earlier, we used to hear about 100-year wars and 30-year wars. We have come back to that era because technology is not concentrated in the hands of just a few powers anymore.” His observation aptly notes the shift from traditional conflicts to modern-day engagements, where technology has blurred the lines between military powers and emerging challengers.
Sai Krishna, CEO of Saptang Labs envisions a battlefield where integration of AI can revolutionize decision-making for commanders. “The battlefield is full of sensors,” he explains, “everything is transmitting continuously. If we cleverly translate a battle plan into a model the machine can understand, AI can come up with a battlefield plan, based on aspects that AI can track even in unmanned areas, and that can reduce the decision fatigue that commanders experience.”
The Battlefield In The Sky
Space isn’t a mere frontier of scientific exploration anymore. Today, it is a contested domain housing over 60,000 man-made objects, with about 27,000 active ones performing roles ranging from communication and telemetry to unknown classified operations. Pandey further explained that “in today’s day and age, if we can track what these objects are doing and how they are controlled through the electromagnetic spectrum, we can target them.”
This statement highlights the dual-edged sword of space technology. On one side, it empowers nations with unparalleled situational awareness and communication capabilities. But on the other hand, it also exposes vulnerabilities, as command and control systems are tied to specific frequencies. The ability to disrupt or manipulate these frequencies introduces a new realm of warfare—non-kinetic yet highly effective.
While the requirements of kinetic wars are well known to humankind, those for AI-enabled warfare are still in the stage of discovery. However, Cmde S K Pujari, Chief Technology Advisor, C2C Advanced Systems underscores the need for situational awareness systems to create a Common Operational Picture (COP), and integration of data from radars, sonars, and autonomous sensors. This technology will not only enhance decision-making but also place space assets at the center of operational effectiveness.
Cyber and Space: A Symbiotic Partnership
In modern warfare, the integration of cyber and space technologies has become inseparable. As Lt. Gen (Dr) PJS Pannu, Senior Advisor, SIA-India observed, “Space and cyber have become partners. Together, they supplement and defend one another, bringing all domains together.” This partnership enables seamless communication and coordination, allowing forces to operate across terrestrial, aerial, and aquatic domains without direct engagement.
The implications are profound. Cyber capabilities can neutralize enemy satellites or disable command systems without firing a single shot. Similarly, space-based sensors and satellites can guide cyber operations with pinpoint accuracy, identifying weaknesses in adversary systems.
The cost of prolonged conflict, both in resources and human lives, has always been a concern. By leveraging space and cyber capabilities, nations can undermine adversaries without escalating to kinetic warfare. “Missions that are standoff in nature will be empowered by automation. In cutting-edge technology, we will mostly see robotics teaming up with soldiers. Where a man cannot survive, machines have to be made to survive,” notes Lt. Gen PJS Pannu.
A New Kind of Warrior
These technological shifts raise questions about the identity of the modern warrior. The battlefield is no longer limited to soldiers on the ground but includes scientists, engineers, and analysts working behind screens to secure dominance in space and cyberspace.
The role of space technology in warfare is both transformative and disruptive. As nations race to harness their potential, the focus must shift to ensuring that this power is wielded responsibly. Prolonged wars may now be fought through the silent void of space, but the outcomes will shape the very fabric of geopolitics for generations to come.
