Indian Military’s Multi-Domain Warfare Blueprint Unfolds

As warfare changes into an era shaped by artificial intelligence, cyber power and space-based assets, the luxury of time in military decision-making is fast disappearing. The battlefield is no longer confined to land, sea and air – it now stretches into data networks, satellites and the human mind. At the heart of this shift lies a new doctrine: Multi-Domain Operations (MDO).

In an interaction with BharatShakti Editor-in-Chief Nitin Gokhale, Maj Gen Manjeet Singh Mokha (Retd) offered a rare insider’s view of how the Indian military is adapting to this transformation aand the challenges that lie ahead.

Beyond Guns and Platforms

MDO, now widely discussed across global militaries, marks a departure from traditional joint operations. Earlier, integrating the Army, Navy and Air Force was considered the pinnacle of coordination. Today, that is only the starting point.

“Warfare has expanded into multiple domains – cyber, space, electronic warfare, and information,” Maj Gen Mokha explained. “All of these are now integral to how wars are fought and won.”

At the core of MDO is the seamless integration of these domains, with information warfare emerging as the central pillar. Technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, quantum computing and robotics are no longer futuristic – they are operational tools shaping real-time combat decisions.

The ‘Three I’s’ of Modern Warfare

To explain MDO, Maj Gen Mokha breaks it down into three foundational elements: informationisation, intelligentisation and integration.

Informationisation, he said, forms the “nervous system” of modern warfare—ensuring real-time flow of data from sensors, satellites and intelligence networks. The aim is to achieve information superiority through a networked battlefield.

The next layer, intelligentisation, converts this data into actionable intelligence. “Information by itself is of little use unless it becomes intelligence,” he noted.

It is where AI and data analytics come into play, accelerating decision-making cycles. However, he cautioned against over-reliance on machines. “It must remain tech-enabled, not tech-led. The human must stay ‘on the loop’.”

Finally, integration ties all domains together, enabling commanders to act faster than the adversary, a concept known as decision superiority.

From Physical to Cognitive Warfare

Modern conflict is no longer just about physical destruction. It operates across three layers: physical, informational and cognitive.

Data collected from various sources is first processed into information, then fused into intelligence, and finally translated into decisions. The ultimate aim is not just to outfight the enemy, but to outthink them.

“The commander who processes information faster gains time, and in warfare, time is decisive,” Maj Gen Mokha said.

India’s Unique Challenge

For India, adopting MDO is not just about technology, but also about the complexity of its threat environment.

On the Western Front, the blurred lines between state and non-state actors create a hybrid threat. On the Northern Borders, grey-zone tactics dominate. Add to this the growing collusion between adversaries, and the operational landscape becomes even more challenging.

The response, according to Maj Gen Mokha, lies in decentralised operations and mission-oriented command structures, concepts that are not entirely new to Indian military thinking.

Drawing parallels from history, he pointed to the guerrilla warfare tactics of Chhatrapati Shivaji and even battlefield formations described in the Mahabharata. “Disaggregation of forces and decentralised execution have always been part of our strategic culture,” he said.

The Push for Military-Civil Fusion

A key pillar of India’s MDO approach is military-civil fusion, which brings together the armed forces, industry, academia, and government.

“The future battlefield will demand a whole-of-nation approach,” Maj Gen Mokha emphasised.

India has already taken steps in this direction. The formal adoption of an MDO doctrine in August 2025, the creation of tri-service agencies such as the Defence Cyber Agency and Defence Space Agency, and the push for indigenous technology under Atmanirbhar Bharat all signal a shift towards integrated capability building.

There is also a clear shift from platform-centric warfare, focused on individual weapons systems, to network-centric and, eventually, data-centric warfare. With 2026 declared the “Year of Networking and Data-Centricity,” the direction is evident.

Training the ‘Hybrid Warrior’

Technology alone cannot deliver results without trained personnel. Preparing soldiers and officers for this new form of warfare is a major challenge.

“The most important aspect is human resource development,” Maj Gen Mokha said. “We need to create hybrid warriors.”

It involves revamping professional military education, expanding joint training exercises, and fostering collaboration with civilian institutions. Case studies, simulations and specialised courses are increasingly being used to familiarise personnel with multi-domain scenarios.

“Train hard in peace to reduce losses in war – that principle remains unchanged,” he added.

The Road Ahead

While MDO is now firmly part of military vocabulary, its real test lies in execution. As Maj Gen Mokha cautioned, it must not become just another buzzword.

For India, the transition to multi-domain warfare is as much about mindset as it is about machines. The coming years will reveal how effectively the armed forces can integrate technology, doctrine and human capital to stay ahead in an increasingly contested battlespace.

The next phase of the discussion, as hinted in the interview, will examine how India’s primary adversaries are shaping their own MDO strategies. This assessment could prove critical in defining the contours of future conflict.

 Team BharatShakti