MAINS Current Affairs includes AI is Reshaping Modern Warfare & Reimagining Urban Infrastructure for Flood Resilience

TECHNOLOGY

1. AI is Reshaping Modern Warfare

Context: The convergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), military autonomy and algorithmic warfare is transforming the nature of warfare.

• Recent conflicts have demonstrated the growing role of drones, AI and autonomous systems in military operations.

Recent Examples of Technology in Warfare

• Russia–Ukraine War: Low-cost FPV drones destroyed expensive tanks and armoured vehicles.
• Nagorno-Karabakh War (2020): Loitering munitions played a decisive role in military success.
• Gaza Conflict: Non-state actors used commercial drones for surveillance and precision attacks.
• India: Use of drones in Operation Sindoor and retaliatory strikes against Pakistan highlighted their operational importance.

What is Modern Warfare?

Modern warfare is increasingly characterized by:

• Artificial Intelligence
• Autonomous weapon systems
• Drones and swarm technologies
• Cyber warfare
• Space warfare
• Precision-guided munitions
• Information warfare

The focus has shifted from manpower-intensive wars to technology-driven, network-centric and multi-domain warfare.

Key Technologies Reshaping Warfare

1. Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI enables:

• Real-time intelligence processing
• Predictive battlefield analysis
• Decision support systems
• Automated logistics management
• Target identification and prioritisation

Significance

• Faster decision-making.
• Reduced human error.
• Improved situational awareness.

2. Unmanned and Autonomous Systems

Includes:

• UAVs and drones
• Loitering munitions
• Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs)
• Unmanned Surface and Underwater Vehicles

Advantages

• Lower operational cost.
• Reduced risk to soldiers.
• Precision strike capability.

3. Swarm Drone Technology

• Hundreds of drones attack simultaneously to overwhelm enemy defences.
• Creates swarm saturation, making interception difficult.

Challenge

• Even advanced air defence systems struggle due to:
  • Limited interception capacity
  • Reload constraints
  • Rate of fire limitations

4. Cyber Warfare

Targets:

• Military communication systems
• Power grids
• Financial systems
• Critical infrastructure

Examples

• Cyber espionage
• Malware attacks
• Infrastructure disruption

5. Information Warfare

Includes:

• Disinformation campaigns
• Psychological operations
• Propaganda
• Narrative manipulation

Objective

• Influence public opinion and political outcomes without direct military engagement.

6. Space Warfare

Space assets support:

• Navigation
• Missile guidance
• Surveillance
• Communications

Emerging Threats

• Anti-satellite weapons (ASAT)
• Electronic interference
• Space debris

7. Precision and Hypersonic Weapons

• Enable long-range stand-off attacks.
• Reduce warning time for defenders.
• Challenge conventional deterrence systems.

India’s Institutional and Strategic Response

• Military Modernisation and Indigenisation: India allocated a record ₹2.19 lakh crore (~$23.9 billion) for the defence capital outlay in the 2026–27 Union Budget, marking a 21.84% increase over the previous year.
  • Indigenous platforms such as Tejas, Akash, Pinaka, and armed UAVs enhance self-reliance and operational flexibility.
• Structural Reforms: The creation of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)following the Shekatkar Committee recommendations aims to enhance joint planning and integration.
  • Proposed Integrated Theatre Commandsare designed to enable unified multi-domain operations.
• Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction System (IDD&IS) is developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation and Bharat Electronics Limited, provides a comprehensive counter-drone solution.
  • It is capable of detecting drones at ranges of 5–8 km, jamming communication signals within 2–5 kmand neutralising threats using laser-based directed energy weapons at close ranges.
• “Bhargavastra” Anti-Swarm System:Developed by Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL), it is a low-cost, homegrown counter-drone system that uses micro-rockets to destroy drone swarms in hard-kill mode.
• The Indian Army has initiated large-scale procurement of surveillance and kamikaze dronesto enhance both defensive and offensive capabilities.
• Establishment of the Defence Cyber Agency (DCA)and Defence Space Agency (DSA) institutionalises emerging warfighting domains.

Way Ahead

• Need for Robust Counter-Drone Systems:Swarm drones are low-cost but high-impact weapons capable of overwhelming advanced air defence systems.
  • India needs to prioritise the procurement of cost-effective anti-drone systemscapable of detecting, jamming, and neutralising small unmanned aerial vehicles.
• Expansion of Robotic Warfare Capabilities: The increasing role of robotics in warfare is reducing dependence on human manpowerin high-risk operations.
  • Robotic systems can be effectively deployed for mine detection, surveillance, reconnaissance, and logistical support.
• Passive Defence Measures: The saturation of even advanced defence systems, such as Iron Dome, highlights the limitations of active defence mechanisms.
  • Passive measures such as dispersion of assets, camouflage, concealment, and underground infrastructureare essential for force preservation.

Conclusion

The character of warfare is shifting from platform-centric warfare to technology-driven and capability-based warfare. AI, drones, cyber operations and space capabilities are becoming central to military power. For India, strengthening indigenous innovation, cyber resilience, AI adoption and joint military structures will be essential to maintain credible deterrence and safeguard national security in the emerging era of intelligent warfare.

ENVIRONMENT

2. Reimagining Urban Infrastructure for Flood Resilience

Context: Recent heavy rainfall and flooding in cities such as Mumbai have once again highlighted the growing vulnerability of Indian cities to urban floods. Increasing concretisation, climate change and poor urban planning have made urban flooding one of India’s fastest-growing disasters, requiring a transition towards climate-resilient and water-sensitive cities.

What is Urban Flooding?

Urban flooding refers to the inundation of land or property in urban areas due to excessive rainfall that exceeds the capacity of drainage systems and natural water absorption mechanisms.

Unlike riverine floods, urban floods occur rapidly because rainwater cannot infiltrate into the ground due to extensive paved surfaces and built-up areas.

Why Are Indian Cities Vulnerable to Urban Flooding?

• Disrupted Hydrological Systems: The urban expansion has disrupted natural hydrological networks like rivers, creeks, wetlands, lakes, salt pans, and floodplains that traditionally absorbed rainwater.
• Loss of Permeable Surfaces: The replacement of open spaces and soil with concrete roads, pavements, and buildings has reduced groundwater recharge and increased surface runoff.
• Drainage Systems:Many Indian cities are dependent on conventional storm-water drainage systems that are inadequate to handle short-duration but high-intensity rainfall events associated with climate change.
  • In Mumbai,the drainage network largely relies on gravity to discharge water into the sea.
• Climate Change:Rising global temperatures have increased the frequency and intensity of extreme rainfall events, making urban flooding more frequent even in cities with improved drainage infrastructure.

Solutions to Mitigate Urban Flooding

• Upgrading and maintaining stormwater drainage infrastructure.
• Protecting and restoring wetlands, lakes, and natural waterways.
• Promoting green infrastructure: rain gardens, green roofs, permeable pavements.
• Implementing urban planning policies to prevent construction on flood-prone areas.
• Rainwater harvesting and better solid waste management.

Steps taken by India

• Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban): While primarily focused on sanitation, this mission also emphasizes solid waste management and pollution control, which contribute to preventing waterlogging and flooding.
• National Smart Cities Mission: It promotes the measures to manage urban flooding through rainwater harvesting, green spaces and proper drainage system.
• Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT):The Mission focuses on development of basic infrastructure, in the cities and towns, in the sectors of water supply; sewerage and septage management; storm water drainage.
• Guidelines and Regulations: The government has issued guidelines for sustainable urban development, encouraging the incorporation of features like permeable pavements, green roofs, and retention ponds to enhance water absorption.
• The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has formulated Model Building Bye Laws (MBBL), 2016for the States/UTs.
  • As per MBBL, all buildings having a plot size of 100 sq.m.or more shall mandatorily include the complete proposal of rainwater harvesting.
• The National Water Policy (2012) advocates that the conservation of rivers, river corridors, water bodies and infrastructure should be undertaken in a scientifically planned manner through community participation.
• Jal Shakti Abhiyan: It aims to harvest the monsoon rainfall through creation of artificial recharge structures, watershed management, recharge and reuse structures, intensive afforestation and awareness generation.
• MoHUA has issued Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs)on Urban Flooding in 2017 and published manual on Storm Water Drainage Systems, 2019 to assist the States/ Union Territories (UTs), Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and other stakeholders

Global Best Practices Related to Mitigating Urban Flooding

• China’s Sponge City Policy: Following the devastating Beijing floods of 2012, China adopted the Sponge City approach to improve the water retention capacity of urban areas.
• The Netherlands’ Blue-Green Infrastructure:It is an integrated network of natural and engineered systems that manage rainwater while improving urban resilience and environmental quality.
• Singapore, a global leader in managing urban flooding despite its high rainfall and dense urban environment.

Challenges Before Indian Cities

• Continued encroachmentupon wetlands, lakes, and floodplains.
• Unplanned urbanisationand extensive concretisation.
• Limited adoptionof nature-based solutions in urban planning.
• Fragmented institutional responsibilitiesfor water and land management.

Way Forward

Adopt Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD)

• Urban planning must integrate natural water cycles into city development.

Restore Urban Ecosystems

• Protect wetlands, rivers and lakes as critical infrastructure rather than vacant land.

Invest in Blue-Green Infrastructure

• Combine engineering solutions with ecological approaches.

Strengthen Urban Governance

• Create unified institutions for flood management and urban water planning.

Use Technology

Deploy:

• GIS mapping
• Flood forecasting systems
• IoT sensors
• AI-based early warning systems

Promote Community Participation

• Citizen participation in waste management, lake restoration and rainwater harvesting is essential.

Conclusion

Urban flooding is not merely a consequence of heavy rainfall but largely a result of unsustainable urbanisation and ecological degradation. Indian cities must move from a “drain and dispose” model to an “absorb, store and reuse” model through sponge city concepts, blue-green infrastructure and climate-resilient planning to ensure sustainable urban development in the era of climate change.

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