DPG Policy Brief
Harnessing Commercial Technology for Future Wars: The Lessons from Ukraine
Date: September 13, 2024
Historically, defence-related research and development (R&D) has been the primary driver of technological advancements, but the centre of technological innovation has now moved significantly to private companies. This brief highlights how modern warfare is increasingly influenced by commercial technology, using the ongoing war in Ukraine as a case study.
In the Ukraine conflict, thousands of relatively inexpensive commercial drones are being used extensively for surveillance, artillery coordination, and direct strikes. With about 200 companies manufacturing drones, Ukraine has set a target of more than one million domestically produced drones in 2024.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has also played a crucial role, with companies like Palantir, Clearview, and Primer providing data analytics to aid Ukraine's military operations. Similarly, private companies like SpaceX, Cloudflare, and Google have strengthened Ukraine's cybersecurity, protecting critical data and communication networks. Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube have aided Ukraine’s information warfare efforts.
After assessing the trends in Ukraine’s war effort, the author turns his focus to India, and the country's push for indigenisation under the Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) policy. While large private companies like Tata and Mahindra are making strides in defence, there is a clear need for greater and systemic support for smaller non-traditional suppliers and startups.
India has launched several initiatives, such as iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) and DRDO’s Technology Development Fund (TDF), to foster defence innovation. These are excellent initiatives which have led to some successes, but much more needs to be done.
The Indian military’s procurement process remains bureaucratic, rigid, and slow, which is not aligned with the accelerating rate of technology change. This, to a considerable extent, prohibits technology startups from actively participating in the defence sector.
The author recommends greater coordination and synergy among the different agencies and programs which are working with the industry for technology adoption in the military. He suggests that the iDEX initiative should become the nodal agency for engaging with non-traditional defence companies and focus on inducting dual-use technologies that are commercially available.
The brief highlights the urgent need for reforming India’s defence procurement process to match the speed at which technology is evolving. This includes creating faster approval mechanisms for adopting new technologies in areas like AI, cybersecurity, and information technology. The setting up of a defence-oriented venture capital fund is also recommended. This fund would need to be run by professional managers, not bureaucrats, to ensure that it remains agile and responsive to emerging trends of the military.
In conclusion, the author highlights the importance of fostering a collaborative ecosystem between the Indian military and the commercial technology sector to create a shared vision of accelerated outcomes that bolster defence capability.
To read this Policy Brief Vol. IX, Issue 23, please click "Harnessing Commercial Technology for Future Wars: The Lessons from Ukraine".
In the Ukraine conflict, thousands of relatively inexpensive commercial drones are being used extensively for surveillance, artillery coordination, and direct strikes. With about 200 companies manufacturing drones, Ukraine has set a target of more than one million domestically produced drones in 2024.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has also played a crucial role, with companies like Palantir, Clearview, and Primer providing data analytics to aid Ukraine's military operations. Similarly, private companies like SpaceX, Cloudflare, and Google have strengthened Ukraine's cybersecurity, protecting critical data and communication networks. Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube have aided Ukraine’s information warfare efforts.
After assessing the trends in Ukraine’s war effort, the author turns his focus to India, and the country's push for indigenisation under the Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) policy. While large private companies like Tata and Mahindra are making strides in defence, there is a clear need for greater and systemic support for smaller non-traditional suppliers and startups.
India has launched several initiatives, such as iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) and DRDO’s Technology Development Fund (TDF), to foster defence innovation. These are excellent initiatives which have led to some successes, but much more needs to be done.
The Indian military’s procurement process remains bureaucratic, rigid, and slow, which is not aligned with the accelerating rate of technology change. This, to a considerable extent, prohibits technology startups from actively participating in the defence sector.
The author recommends greater coordination and synergy among the different agencies and programs which are working with the industry for technology adoption in the military. He suggests that the iDEX initiative should become the nodal agency for engaging with non-traditional defence companies and focus on inducting dual-use technologies that are commercially available.
The brief highlights the urgent need for reforming India’s defence procurement process to match the speed at which technology is evolving. This includes creating faster approval mechanisms for adopting new technologies in areas like AI, cybersecurity, and information technology. The setting up of a defence-oriented venture capital fund is also recommended. This fund would need to be run by professional managers, not bureaucrats, to ensure that it remains agile and responsive to emerging trends of the military.
In conclusion, the author highlights the importance of fostering a collaborative ecosystem between the Indian military and the commercial technology sector to create a shared vision of accelerated outcomes that bolster defence capability.
To read this Policy Brief Vol. IX, Issue 23, please click "Harnessing Commercial Technology for Future Wars: The Lessons from Ukraine".
