Gen Anil Chauhan Launches Strategic Cyberspace Operations Doctrine to Boost Military Coordination

New Delhi: In a significant move to bolster India's cyber defence capabilities, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan unveiled Joint Doctrine for Cyberspace Operations during Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) meeting held on Tuesday in New Delhi. This crucial document aims to guide commanders in navigating and conducting Cyberspace Operations within modern military landscape.  

Ministry of Defence underscored doctrine's importance in a press release, stating, "Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan released Joint Doctrine for Cyberspace Operations during Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) meeting held on June 18, 2024, in New Delhi. Joint Doctrine is a keystone publication that will guide Commanders in conducting Cyberspace Operations in today's complex military operating environment."  

Enhancing Jointness and Integration in Cyberspace  

Developing Joint Doctrines is a vital aspect of fostering jointness and integration within Indian Armed Forces. newly released Joint Doctrine for Cyberspace Operations marks a significant step forward in this endeavour. With rise of cyberspace as a critical and challenging domain in modern warfare, this doctrine aims to align operations in cyberspace with tritional domains such as land, sea, and air.

Cyberspace differs from tritional domains with its global common nature and shared sovereignty, presenting unique challenges and opportunities. Hostile actions in cyberspace can have far-reaching impacts on national security, including economic stability, political decision-making, and nation's defence capabilities. Ministry of Defence emphasized necessity of integrating cyberspace operations into broer National Security framework.  

Operational Guidance for Commanders and Warfighters  

"Operations in cyberspace need to be dovetailed into National Security fabric, to evolve 'Ends,' 'Ways,' and 'Means' to create vantage and influence events in all or operational environments and across all instruments of power," Ministry of Defence elaborated. new doctrine aims to provide comprehensive conceptual guidance to commanders, staff, and practitioners in planning and conducting cyberspace operations.  

doctrine also seeks to enhance awareness among warfighters at all levels, ensuring y are well-prepared to tackle complexities of cyberspace. "This doctrine lays emphasis on understanding military aspects of cyberspace operations and provides conceptual guidance to commanders, staff, and practitioners in planning, and conduct of operations in cyberspace, as also to raise awareness in our warfighters at all levels," Ministry ded.  

release of Joint Doctrine for Cyberspace Operations represents a pivotal vancement in India's defence strategy, reinforcing nation's commitment to safeguarding its interests in cyber domain. By formalizing se guidelines, India is taking proactive steps to secure its cyberspace infrastructure and enhance its cyber defence capabilities.