Airpower – Page 6 – Air Marshal's Perspective

December 7, 2025

774:INTEGRATION OF DIRECTED ENERGY WEAPONS ONTO MILITARY PLATFORMS

Article published in the CLAWS Yearbook 2025.

Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs), including high-energy lasers (HELs), high-power microwaves (HPMs), and particle beams, represent a transformative leap in military technology. Offering precision, speed, and cost-effectiveness compared to kinetic systems, DEWs engage targets at the speed of light with minimal collateral damage. As global militaries face evolving threats like drone swarms and hypersonic missiles, the strategic importance of integrating DEWs into naval, ground, air, and space platforms cannot be overstated. This article explores DEW integration’s technical, operational, strategic, and ethical dimensions, drawing on recent advancements and addressing challenges, global programs, and future implications.

Directed Energy Weapons: Technical Fundamentals. DEWs emit focused energy, such as lasers, microwaves, or particle beams, to damage or disable enemy equipment, personnel, or facilities. Unlike conventional weapons, DEWs require no projectiles and engage targets at the speed of light. High-energy lasers focus photons to deliver thermal energy to burn through materials or disable sensors. High-power microwaves disrupt electronic circuits and communications by inducing currents in circuits. Though less developed, particle beams accelerate charged particles to damage targets at the molecular level. These systems are valuable against fast, low-cost, or swarm threats like drones, rockets, and small boats.[i]

Strategic Imperatives: DEW Integration. The rise of asymmetric threats—drone swarms, hypersonic missiles, and low-cost unmanned systems—drives DEW adoption. Traditional kinetic interceptors are often too slow or costly to counter these threats effectively. DEWs provide a layered defence, complementing kinetic systems to enhance resilience and flexibility. For example, lasers can neutralise drones while missiles engage larger threats, optimising resource allocation. Additionally, DEWs enhance deterrence by offering rapid, precise responses, reducing logistical burdens in sustained conflicts.

Technical Challenges of Integration. Integrating DEWs into platforms designed for kinetic munitions presents significant hurdles. These challenges vary by platform but share common themes, addressed through innovations like solid-state lasers, modular power kits, and AI-driven targeting.

- Power and Thermal Management. The primary technical challenge is power generation. DEWs demand significant electrical energy, often in tens to hundreds of kilowatts for lasers and megawatts for microwaves, far beyond what existing vehicles or vessels were designed to provide. For instance, a 100 kW-class laser needs power and cooling infrastructure that challenges small air or ground platform integration.[ii] The platforms must have upgraded power generation systems, thermal management modules, hybrid power units or capacitor-based energy storage.

- Beam Control and Targeting. Precision targeting is crucial for DEWs to be effective. Beam control is another critical factor. DEWs must maintain precision across long distances, compensating for atmospheric distortion, vibration, and platform movement. Atmospheric disturbances (for lasers) or electromagnetic interference (for HPMs) can degrade performance. Beam control systems must adapt dynamically, especially on mobile platforms or in contested electromagnetic environments.[iii] Advanced fire control radars, electro-optical/infrared sensors, and machine learning-based tracking algorithms are being developed to enhance the targeting and engagement cycles.

- Size, Weight and Vibration Constraints. Airborne platforms present special problems due to vibration and limited space. Aircraft like fighter jets or UAVs must host compact DEW systems that can function reliably under dynamic conditions.

Platform Integration.

Integration into Naval Platforms. Naval vessels, such as destroyers and aircraft carriers, are prime candidates for DEW integration due to their robust power generation and deck space. Lasers enhance defence against anti-ship missiles, small boats, and drones, offering near-infinite shots compared to finite missile magazines. The U.S. Navy’s High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical-Dazzler and Surveillance (HELIOS, 60 kW) on destroyers exemplifies this, countering aerial and surface threats. India is exploring laser systems for warships to secure the Indian Ocean trade corridor. Challenges include retrofitting electrical grids, managing heat dissipation, and ensuring compact designs for smaller vessels.

Integration into Ground Platforms. On land, DEWs counter drones and loitering munitions, critical in asymmetric warfare seen in conflicts like Ukraine. The U.S. Army’s Directed Energy-Manoeuvre Short-Range Air Defence (DE-MSHORAD) mounts 50 kW lasers on Stryker vehicles, while India’s Mk-II(A) 30 kW laser, tested in April 2025, neutralised drone swarms at 5 km. Integration requires compatibility with networked systems, ruggedised optics for dust or extreme temperatures, and modular power solutions to maintain mobility.

Integration into Air Platforms. Airborne DEWs, designed for fighter jets or UAVs, counter incoming missiles at standoff distances. The U.S. Air Force’s Self-Protect High Energy Laser Demonstrator (SHiELD) equips jets with laser pods, while India envisions lasers on aircraft to counter regional missile threats. Challenges include limited onboard power (e.g., F-35’s 400 kW engine splits power across systems), heat dissipation without drag, and beam stability amid turbulence. With solar or hybrid power, UAVs may become ideal DEW platforms for long-endurance missions.

Integration into Space Platforms. Space-based DEWs, still nascent, hold potential for missile defence and satellite protection. Lasers could disable enemy satellites or intercept ballistic missiles during the boost phase. The U.S. Space Force explores megawatt-class Space-Based Lasers (SBL) powered by solar arrays. India’s satellite-mounted laser concepts aim to safeguard space assets. Challenges include power generation in compact designs, radiative cooling in vacuums, and targeting across long ranges. Legal concerns under the Outer Space Treaty, which prohibits weapons of mass destruction, limit deployment, though non-lethal applications like sensor dazzling may be permitted.[iv]

Global DEW Projects

Numerous countries are researching and developing these weapons, each with unique projects and strategic goals.[v] DEW development is a global race, with key players advancing unique projects:

United States. The US is a leader in DEW development. Besides Leonidas, the Department of Defence (DOD) and agencies like DARPA, the Air Force Research Laboratory, and the Naval Research Laboratory are researching DEWs to counter ballistic missiles and hypersonic cruise missiles. The U.S. Navy has been a frontrunner in DEW integration. The Laser Weapon System (LaWS) was deployed on the USS Ponce in 2014.[vi] Subsequently, the U.S. Navy’s High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical Dazzler and Surveillance (HELIOS) system was tested on the USS Preble in 2022. Its integration into the Aegis Combat System demonstrates the feasibility of combining DEWs with existing sensor suites.[vii] The U.S. Army’s Directed Energy-Manoeuvre Short-Range Air Defence (DE-MSHORAD) program aims to mount 50-kilowatt lasers on Stryker vehicles, but integration requires overcoming power and weight limitations.[viii] The US Army is exploring modular power kits, which combine batteries and compact turbines, to meet DEW demands without sacrificing mobility. The U.S. Air Force’s Airborne High Energy Laser (AHEL) program seeks to equip platforms like the AC-130 gunship and F-35 fighter with lasers for precision strikes and missile defence. Tests in 2024 showed progress, with a 20-kilowatt laser successfully integrated onto a testbed aircraft.[ix] For special operations, lasers on AC-130s could provide silent, precise strikes, reducing reliance on munitions.[x]

China. China is making rapid strides in DEW development, focusing on high-energy lasers and microwave systems. State media and manufacturers have released images of handheld and vehicle-mounted laser systems, including the LW-30, a 30kW road-mobile high-energy laser (HEL). Their efforts extend to counter-space applications, with ground-based DEWs potentially targeting satellites. China’s military also solicits would-be suppliers for a new airborne laser weapon. Airborne laser pods are expected to be mounted on Chinese warplanes such as the Shenyang J-15 “Flying Shark” carrier-based fighter.

Russia. Russia has been developing DEWs for decades, with the Peresvet laser weapon system entering experimental combat duty in 2018 and claiming operational use during the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. A more advanced version, “Zadira,” can incinerate targets up to three miles away within five seconds. Russia is also working on EMP cannons and microwave guns for anti-drone applications.

Ukraine. [xi]Ukraine has unveiled a new laser weapon called “Tryzub” (Ukrainian for “trident”), which can shoot down aircraft over a mile away. During a defence conference, Colonel Vadym Sukharevskyi, Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces commander, announced the weapon’s capabilities.

United Kingdom. The UK’s Ministry of Defence (MOD) is investing heavily in DEWs, with projects like DragonFire, a laser-directed energy weapon (LDEW) that achieved its first high-power firing against aerial targets in January 2024 at the Hebrides Range. DragonFire is expected to be deployable by 2027. Additionally, the Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon (RFDEW) is nearing service by 2026, focusing on countering unmanned systems.

France and Germany. France and Germany are key players in European DEW development, often through multinational collaborations. France is involved in projects like the TALOS-TWO, involving 21 partners across eight EU nations. Germany is focusing on integrating DEWs into defence platforms. These efforts aim for operational deployment by 2030, emphasising cost-effective counter-drone and missile defence systems.

Israel. Israel is advancing the Iron Beam laser-based DEW, designed to complement its Iron Dome system. A contract signed in October 2024 for operational service within a year reflects its cost-effectiveness. The US has allocated $1.2 billion for Iron Beam procurement.

Iran and Turkey. Iran and Turkey claim DEWs in active service, adding controversy to global assessments. Iran has announced developments in laser air defence systems, while Turkey claims the ALKA DEW was used in combat in Libya in 2019. However, specifics and verification are scarce, with claims often met with scepticism due to limited transparency.

South Korea, Japan, and Australia. South Korea and Japan possess advanced technological capabilities, with South Korea developing laser-based systems for counter-drone applications, though not as prominently as major powers. Japan emphasises nuclear and space technologies, featuring limited public DEW projects. Australia is also investing in DEW technology, particularly for countering drones, which was highlighted by a £13 million deal with QinetiQ for a prototype defensive laser.

India’s DEW Programs.

India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is actively pursuing DEWs, with projects like the Directionally Unrestricted Ray-Gun Array (DURGA II), a 100-kilowatt lightweight DEW set for integration with land, sea, and air platforms. Other initiatives include the KALI (Kilo Ampere Linear Injector), a particle accelerator and a 1 kW laser weapon for counter-IED operations, with plans for 25 kW and 100 kW systems.

DURGA Program. [xii]The DURGA initiative, spearheaded by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is dedicated to creating laser-based directed energy weapons (DEWs) to bolster India’s multi-tiered defence framework. This program focuses on developing laser systems to intercept and neutralise enemy missiles at various flight phases, enhancing India’s Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) capabilities. Additionally, it aims to counter unmanned aerial systems (UAS) by deploying tactical laser weapons to disable drones threatening critical infrastructure and military assets. These weapons are designed for integration across land, air, and sea platforms, providing operational versatility in diverse environments. Public reports indicate that prototype laser-based DEWs under the DURGA program are currently being tested, with power levels ranging from 10 to 100 kilowatts, suitable for tactical and strategic purposes.

KALI Program. [xiii]Initially launched by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) with DRDO support, the KALI program began as a research effort into high-energy particle acceleration but has since evolved into a defence project focused on electronic warfare and non-lethal weaponry. The KALI system produces powerful electromagnetic pulses (EMPs) to disable enemy electronic systems, including radar, communication, and missile guidance systems. It also explores particle beam technology to neutralise targets without explosives, with potential applications such as disabling enemy satellites. The system’s scalability allows it to be used in both tactical operations and strategic deterrence, enabling non-lethal incapacitation of enemy equipment while preserving physical structures.

On April 13, 2025, [xiv] India successfully tested its first high-energy laser weapon, the Mk-II(A) Laser-Directed Energy Weapon (DEW), at the National Open Air Range in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. Developed by DRDO, this 30-kilowatt laser system demonstrated precise neutralisation of fixed-wing aircraft, drone swarms, and surveillance sensors at ranges up to 5 kilometers. Operating at the speed of light, the laser causes structural damage or destroys warheads, offering a cost-effective alternative to conventional munitions with minimal collateral impact. This achievement positions India alongside nations like the US, China, and Russia in advanced laser weaponry. DRDO aims to deploy the land-based system within two years, with plans for enhanced versions offering greater range and integration on ships, aircraft, and satellites. A 300-kilowatt “Surya” laser, capable of targeting high-speed missiles and drones up to 20 kilometers away, is also in development.

Strategic Operational and Doctrinal Implications

Integrating DEWs is a technical and doctrinal challenge that will reshape operational doctrines and force structures. Military planners must consider new rules of engagement, escalation risks, and interoperability with allied forces. Doctrinally, militaries are evolving from a kinetic-dominant mindset to one in which DEWs play complementary and sometimes primary roles, especially in contested and electronically dense environments.

Their low cost per shot and scalability enable sustained engagements, reducing logistical burdens. DEWs also enhance deterrence by providing rapid, precise responses to emerging threats like hypersonic missiles. However, DEWs introduce strategic risks. Adversaries may develop countermeasures, such as reflective coatings or electronic hardening, reducing their effectiveness. Proliferation of DEW technology could also destabilise conflicts, as non-state actors gain access to low-cost, high-impact weapons.[xv]

Operationally, DEWs require new training and tactics. Operators must understand beam propagation, power management, energy thresholds, atmospheric effects, engagement timelines and protocols, which differ from kinetic systems.

Moreover, AI and autonomous systems are increasingly paired with DEWs to handle target acquisition and prioritisation in real-time, particularly in drone swarm scenarios. Cybersecurity is also critical, as DEWs rely on networked sensors and software, making them vulnerable to hacking or electronic warfare.[xvi]

DEWs, especially dazzlers and HPMs, exist in a grey area of international law. The Protocol on Blinding Laser Weapons (Protocol IV) of the UN’s Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) prohibits lasers specifically designed to cause permanent blindness.[xvii] However, systems designed for sensor blinding or equipment disablement are permitted.

Future of DEW-Enabled Battlefield

Future advancements will focus on scaling power output, improving efficiency, and reducing size. Solid-state lasers, which are more compact than chemical lasers, are driving this trend. Research into hybrid DEW-kinetic systems, where lasers complement missiles, could bridge capability gaps. Artificial intelligence will also play a role in optimising beam control and target prioritisation in complex environments. Looking ahead, several trends will define the future of DEW integration:

- Hybrid Platforms. Future platforms will likely feature integrated DEW and kinetic options, with AI-driven decision-support systems guiding engagement choices.

- Miniaturisation and Modularity. Advances in solid-state lasers, cooling, and power systems will allow smaller, modular DEW units suitable for a broader array of platforms.

- Network-Centric Operations. DEWs will be part of larger sensor-to-shooter networks, leveraging battlefield data to optimise energy weapon use in multi-domain operations.

- Export and Proliferation Risks. As DEW technologies become more widely available, concerns about proliferation and their use by non-state actors or rogue states will increase, requiring robust export control and countermeasure policies.

Conclusion

Directed Energy Weapons mark a paradigm shift in warfare, offering precision, cost-effectiveness, and scalability. Their integration on military platforms (naval, ground, air, and space) poses unique challenges. India should focus on incorporating Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs) into its military systems to strengthen its defence capabilities. This involves expediting the deployment of DURGA II (100 kW) across naval, air, and ground platforms, enhancing power and cooling systems on warships and aircraft such as the Tejas, developing AI-based targeting for accuracy in challenging environments, and integrating DEWs with existing integrated air defence systems. Partnering with allies on solid-state laser technology will ensure operational effectiveness.

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Information and data included in the blog are for educational & non-commercial purposes only and have been carefully adapted, excerpted, or edited from reliable and accurate sources. All copyrighted material belongs to respective owners and is provided only for wider dissemination.

References:-

[i] J. R. Wilson, “Directed-Energy Weapons: Technologies, Applications and Implications,” Military & Aerospace Electronics, August 2021.

[ii] John Keller, “Power and Cooling Are Key Challenges in Directed-Energy Weapons,” Military & Aerospace Electronics, March 2023, 14-18.

[iii] Philip Ewing, “The Pentagon’s New Laser Weapon Blinds and Burns,” NPR, July 3, 2020.

[iv] Joan Johnson-Freese, Space Warfare in the 21st Century: Arming the Heavens (London: Routledge, 2016), 112-115.

[v] Khosla Anil, “LEONIDAS BY EPIRUS_ STAR TREK STYLE SHIELD OF DIRECTED ENERGY WEAPON”, The EurasianTimes, 29 Mar 25.

[vi] Sam LaGrone, “Navy Deploys Laser Weapon Prototype USS Ponce,” USNI News, December 10, 2014.

[vii] U.S. Navy, “HELIOS System Successfully Tested on USS Preble,” Naval News, August 2022, https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2022/08/helios-system-successfully-tested-on-uss-preble/.

[viii] Jen Judson, “Army’s DE-MSHORAD Prototype Zaps Drones in Latest Test,” Defense News, October 2023, https://www.defensenews.com/land/2023/10/05/armys-de-mshorad-prototype-zaps-drones-in-latest-test/.

[ix] Valerie Insinna, “Air Force Tests Airborne Laser on Testbed Aircraft,” Air Force Magazine, February 2024, https://www.airforcemag.com/air-force-tests-airborne-laser-testbed-aircraft/.

[x] Brian W. Everstine, “Lasers on AC-130s Could Redefine Special Operations,” Aviation Week, March 2023, 34-36.

[xi] Khosla Anil. “UKRAINE UNVEILS TRYZUB_ A GAME-CHANGING DIRECTED ENERGY WEAPON”, Air Marshal’s Perspective, 17 Feb 25.

[xii] Khosla Anil, “Edit Post “DURGA AND KALI_ INDIA’S DIRECTED ENERGY WEAPONS PROGRAM”, Air Marshal’s Perspective, 29 Apr 25.

[xiii] Ibid

[xiv] Khosla Anil, “INDIA ENTERS THE LASER AGE_ MK-II(A) DEW USHERS IN A NEW ERA OF DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY”, Air Marshal’s Perspective, 16 Apr 25.

[xv] Paul Scharre, Army of None: Autonomous Weapons and the Future of War (New York: W.W. Norton, 2018), 201-205.

[xvi] Freedberg, “Lasers, Microwaves, and Particle Beams.”

[xvii] United Nations, “Protocol IV on Blinding Laser Weapons,” Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, 1995.

November 21, 2025

772: Podcast on Asia net news channel

Had an interesting chat with Heena Sharma of Asianet News Channel on 21 Nov 25

We talked about various aspects (not in order):-

India, Russia, SJ-100 and how it will transform aviation.

AI Drone vs Conventional Weapons

Drone training hubs

India’s dual-use infrastructure and civil-military fusion

Low-fighter aircraft in the IAF.

AMCA will be on the induction timelines

Indigenous or procured and sharing of advanced military tech

Advanced levels of tech like killer robots, cyborgs, spy cockroaches, etc

Asymmetries in the military of India and China military

Value Additions are most welcome.

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References and credits

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Disclaimer:

Information and data included in the blog are for educational & non-commercial purposes only and have been carefully adapted, excerpted, or edited from reliable and accurate sources. All copyrighted material belongs to the respective owners and is provided only for broader dissemination.

November 2, 2025

768: ELECTRONIC WARFARE: THE INVISIBLE BATTLEFIELD SHAPING THE MODERN CONFLICT

Article published in the Nov 25 issue of

“The News Analytics Journal”

Electronic warfare (EW) encompasses all strategies and technologies used to exploit the electromagnetic spectrum, including radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet light and X-rays. The spectrum is an integral part of various military operations and serves as the backbone for communication, navigation and targeting.

Contemporary combat isn’t just about deploying and using weapons; it is also about disrupting communications, radars, and navigation systems. EW works quietly in the background, manipulating the invisible waves that are essential to modern warfare. It represents the clash of invisible forces that can determine the outcome of conflicts.

EW tactics have evolved from niche techniques to core elements of military strategy. Their significance has increased alongside technological advancements and the growing availability of affordable tools, making engagement in spectrum warfare more feasible. EW has rapidly emerged as a crucial yet often underestimated element of contemporary warfare. This shift has led militaries to rethink their electronic strategies.

Electronic Warfare

Electronic warfare aims to deny the enemy the use of the Electronic spectrum, while ensuring that friendly forces can operate freely within it. EW includes proactive actions, such as jamming, deceiving, and electromagnetic attacks. It also includes protective measures, such as electronic shielding and countermeasures. EW can be carried out from the air, land, sea, or space, using both manned and unmanned systems. EW is built on three main pillars.

- Electronic Attack (EA – Electronic Attack) or Electronic Counter Measures (ECM – Electronic Counter Measures). Electronic attack techniques seek to disrupt, deceive, or destroy the enemy’s electronic systems. For instance, high-power microwave systems can render electronics inoperable from a distance, effectively disabling drones or missiles. Electronic Jamming is done by emitting radio frequency signals to saturate enemy receivers and hinder or prevent their ability to receive or transmit information. Spoofing is sending false signals to the enemy to confuse or deceive their electronic systems.

- Electronic Protection (EP – Electronic Protection) or Electronic Counter Measures (ECCM – Electronic Counter Measures). EP/ECCM is actions taken to protect personnel, facilities, equipment or weapon systems from any effect of own or enemy use of the electromagnetic spectrum. EP utilises techniques like encryption, frequency hopping, or anti-jamming technologies. Modern EP utilises adaptive algorithms that automatically adjust frequencies to minimise interference.

- Electronic Support (ES) or Electronic Support Measures (ESM). ESM is Actions taken to search for, intercept, identify and locate sources of intentional or unintentional electromagnetic energy. This pillar often feeds into broader intelligence operations, enabling predictive strikes. The primary technique is Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), a form of information gathering that involves intercepting signals.

Terrestrial and airborne EW. EW capabilities are traditionally categorised into two distinct categories: terrestrial and airborne. Each has its respective advantages and disadvantages, making it imperative for militaries to use both. Ground EW capabilities were traditionally used to intercept and jam enemy radio and radar signals. Terrestrial EW sensors and jammers have their limitations. Variance in the terrain in which they operate hinders their effects. Airborne EW is primarily employed to intercept, decrypt, and disrupt communications, radars, and other command and control (C2) systems over huge areas. However, these capabilities are limited by aircraft endurance. Modern-day military operations also rely on satellite-based EW capabilities, including for broad area surveillance and early-warning, communications, and C2.

Effects. On a tactical level, EW can degrade the enemy’s situational awareness by disrupting their communications. Deception techniques, such as inserting false data into sensors or communications systems, can mislead enemy forces. Attacks against airborne, ground-based, and space-based enemy sensors can blind air defences, delay decision cycles, creating windows for kinetic strikes. The integration of AI has made these operations quicker and more accurate, affecting the decision-making cycle.

EW in Recent Conflicts

Strategic Doctrines of Major Powers. EW doctrines adopted by global powers vary due to their differing goals and priorities. NATO focuses on integrated and interoperable EW systems due to its philosophy of collective security. Chinese doctrine advocates achieving information dominance by leveraging EW in a networked environment. Russia employs an EW strategy of strategic flexibility by integrating EW with hybrid warfare. These divergent methods used by the global powers highlight EW’s role as a force multiplier tailored to their respective geopolitical contexts.

Nagorno-Karabakh War. The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict highlighted the critical role of EW in modern warfare. Azerbaijan tried to overwhelm the Armenian defences with precision strikes using the Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drones. Armenia countered them with the Russian Polye-21 EW systems. These systems disrupted the Azerbaijani drone signals and command and control (C2) for several days. However, drone swarms ultimately were able to saturate the defences. The conflict exposed the EW’s vulnerability to massed aerial attacks and highlighted the need for integrated EW counter-drone systems.

Syrian Civil War. Syria has been pronounced as the “most aggressive EW environment on Earth.” Russian forces jammed the U.S. and NATO communications, disrupting their operations. In 2020, Turkey’s Koral EW system neutralised Syrian air defences, blinding their radars and enabling drone incursions. Pro-government “electronic armies” employed cyber-EW hybrids to target opposition networks. The conflict highlighted EW’s dual-use in hybrid warfare.

Russia-Ukraine War. The Russia-Ukraine War represents EW’s maturation in peer-level conflict. Russia positioned extensive EW systems, including jammers and aerial decoys, to disrupt Ukrainian and NATO surveillance radars. Ukraine captured a few of these assets for allied analysis and development of appropriate countermeasures. Reportedly, Russian EW systems have caused significant Ukrainian drone losses, primarily through GPS scrambling and radio-control link jamming. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s targeting of Russian EW assets has been a priority to enable counteroffensives. Both sides have been adapting dynamically.

These wars demonstrate EW’s potential to break the asymmetry, where superior Electronic spectrum control increases the effectiveness of kinetic strikes. Future forces must prioritise resilient, AI-augmented EW systems to dominate this invisible battlefield.

Future Trajectory

Trends. Three trends have amplified EW’s importance. First, systems (military and civilian) are far more networked. Precision-guided munitions, networked sensors, and satellite-enabled navigation make modern systems efficient but also vulnerable. Second, the commercial space and telecom sectors have proliferated capabilities, including small satellites and broadband networks, creating numerous new targets and vectors for disruption. Third, inexpensive technologies (software-defined radios, low-cost drones, and portable jammers) lower the cost of mounting effective EW attacks, allowing smaller actors to impose outsized effects.

- AI and Automation. AI-driven EW systems can rapidly detect, analyse, and jam signals, reducing response times. Machine learning is also used to predict and counter enemy EW tactics. The AI integration is propelling the EW market growth amid geopolitical tensions.

- Miniaturisation. Smaller, less expensive EW systems, such as those on drones, enable even non-state actors to disrupt advanced militaries.
- Cyber-EW Convergence. EW increasingly overlaps with cyber warfare, targeting networked systems. For example, hacking into radar systems can complement traditional jamming.

- Space as a Battleground. Satellites, critical for communication and navigation, are vulnerable to EW attacks like signal jamming or spoofing. China and Russia have demonstrated anti-satellite EW capabilities.

- Resilience Needs. Militaries are investing in spectrum-agile systems, low-probability-of-intercept communications, and redundant networks to counter EW threats. Trends include dual-use technologies and cybersecurity enhancements.

Future Outlook. Military forces will face a myriad of challenges in the area of electronic warfare as the underlying technologies continue to advance quickly. Emerging challenges, such as spectrum congestion, the threat of cyber intrusions, and the development of countermeasures, will introduce new challenges. Advances in quantum, photonic, and space-based technologies will drive the growth of EW. Quantum computing will enable precise navigation without reliance on GPS, while implementations of post-quantum cryptography will secure communications against future threats. By 2030, we anticipate that quantum technology will disrupt EW with unbreakable encryption and more realistic battlefield simulations. We will see notable effects of AI, machine learning, offensive cyber capabilities, and directed energy weapons on the EW systems.

Conclusion

Emerging technologies are really shaping the development of EW strategies. The impact of electromagnetic denial or deception is expected to grow stronger as battlefield systems become increasingly automated and equipped with advanced sensors. Militaries need to enhance their resilience and adaptability in the realm of electronic warfare. Investing in AI, quantum technologies, and integrating across different domains—like combining EW with cyber and kinetic operations—will be key to success in the future. Training and doctrines will also need to evolve, making the invisible just as important as the visible. Moving forward, it will take technical solutions, creative operational ideas, and teamwork across military, industry, and civil sectors to stay effective and safe.

Recent conflicts have underscored the importance of investing in electronic warfare (EW) and spectrum management strategies, which are just as vital as traditional firepower in achieving battlefield success. As new technologies like quantum computing and AI become more common in warfare, embracing innovative EW techniques has become more important than ever, helping us stay ahead and be prepared.

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References and credits

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References:-

John R. Hoehn, Defence Primer: Electronic Warfare, Congressional Research Service, 2022.

Sydney J. Freedberg Jr, When Facing Electronic Warfare in Ukraine, Small Drones Quantity Is a Quality, Breaking Defence, 2023.

Russia’s jamming of US-supplied rocket systems complicates the war effort in Ukraine, Alex Marquardt, Natasha Bertrand, and Zachary Cohen, Ukraine, CNN, May 6, 2023.

Bennett, A. The Role of Electronic Warfare in Modern Military Operations, Military Review, 2021.

Drew, K. Adapting to the Invisible Battlefield: The Evolution of Electronic Warfare, Journal of Military Strategy, 2020.

Friedman, N, The Chessboard of Electronic warfare: Strategies and Capabilities. U.S. Naval Institute Press, 2022.

Burgener, M, Electronic Warfare in the Age of Drones: Nagorno-Karabakh in Retrospect. The International Journal of Drone Policy, 2021.

Gottfried, G. The Electronic Battlefield of the Syrian Civil War: A new wave of War? Middle East Journal of International Affairs, 2020.

Hollis, A., The Resurgence of Electronic Warfare in the Modern Conflict. Military Review, (2021).

Johnson, L, The Development of Electronic Warfare Strategy in modern conflicts. Armed Forces & Society, 2023.

Shari, S, Turning the Tide: The Role of Electronic Warfare in the Russia-Ukraine War. Eurasian Security Studies, 2023.