GREY-ZONE WARFARE

Why in the News?

India’s Chief of Defence Staff highlighted issue of Grey-zone warfare during the discussion over informal wars at the 9^th edition of Raisina Dialogue.

More about the News

• Chief of Defence Staff said this is being used in the South China Sea and along India’s northern borders. 
• Also, as per reports, China is using grey-zone warfare tactics against Taiwan. 
• Experts from US and European have characterised certain Russian and Chinese actions of late as examples of grey zone warfare.

About Grey-zone Warfare

• Grey-zone Warfare involves the use of unconventional tactics and strategies that fall below the threshold of traditional warfare.
  • It aims to harm an adversary without them feeling threatened or realising they are under attack.
  • E.g. Salami slicing practice of China. It is a strategy that involves taking over territory in a very gradual manner, testing the opponent’s limits of threshold.
    • It has been allegedly used by China for territorial expansion in the South China Sea.
• In Grey Zone Warfare, activities are generally unseen and insidious. 
  • There are no rules and the front line is everywhere.
• The dividend of the grey-zone warfare action may be available only after a long time.
• It tends to escalate in multiple dimensions and leads to unintended over-escalation. 

Key Activities/Components

• Cyber Operations: It includes hacking and stealing data, corrupting data, spreading disinformation, and conducting cyber espionage etc. 
  • It disrupts critical infrastructure, political systems, or economy without causing direct physical harm. E.g. Cyber-attack at power grid in Maharashtra.
• Information Warfare:  Psychological operations are used to shape public opinion, create divisions, and undermine trust in institutions within the target nation. 
  • E.g. Propaganda, rumours and fake news, social media manipulation, etc. 
• Support to Proxy Forces: Under it, support is provided to non-state actors, insurgents, or militias.  It enables enemies to fulfil their objective without officially engaging in direct conflict.
  •  E.g. Insurgent, naxals groups in India receive support from foreign Agencies. 
• Economic Coercion: It includes imposition of sanctions, trade restrictions, or manipulating financial markets to undermine the target nation’s economy or coerce policy changes without resorting to military action.
  • E.g. China imposed more trade restrictions as a punitive action against Australia. 
• Political Subversion: It undermines political and administrative system. It includes covert means to influence elections, manipulate political processes, etc.
  • E.g. Alleged involvement of Russia in Presidential election in US
• Other: Irregular Warfare (such as guerrilla warfare), Legal and Diplomatic Manoeuvring, Military Intimidation etc.

Way Forward: Measures which will help India in Tackling Grey Zone Warfare 

• Formation of Theatre Commands: The formation of ‘theatre commands’ would contribute to the optimisation of resources and ensure unity of command. 
• Promoting Capability: Emphasis should be given on enhancing informational warfare capability and raising the Special Operations, Cyber and Space Commands must be undertaken at the earliest. 
• Active Monitoring and Early Warning Systems: Develop advance systems to keep eye across various domains (cyber, information, political, etc.) to detect early signs of Grey Zone attempts and respond promptly.
• Deterrence through Capability Demonstration: Capabilities in cyber, information, economic, other domains can be showcased on a regular basis to deter adversaries. 
  • India needs to clearly and consistently communicate red lines and consequences for certain unacceptable actions.
• Other: Counter disinformation, prevent funding to insurgent groups etc.