Army Chief General cautioned against Chinese “grey zone” warfare tactics

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The observation was made during assessment of the ongoing situation along the line of actual control (LAC) with China in eastern Ladakh.

About Grey Zone warfare

It involves use of unconventional tactics and strategies that fall below the threshold of traditional warfare.
- It is the area between peace and war.
It aims to harm an adversary without them feeling threatened or realizing they are under attack.
Key activities include cyber attack operations, support to non-state actors, economic coercion,information warfare, etc
E.g. Salami slicing practice of China. It is a strategy that involves taking over territory in a very gradual manner.
- It has been allegedly used by China for territorial expansion in the South China Sea.

It is difficult to counter or garner international support to take action against.
- It exploits weaknesses in the rules-based order.
The cost of conventional conflict in the nuclear era has grown too steep, and the risk of escalation too profound. E.g., Russia’s takeover of Crimea.
Nations which do not have access to massive resources or power, prefer it.

Chief of Defence Staff: Improved coordination, tri-service effectiveness, combat capabilities integration.
Modernization: Infusion of technology in war-fighting systems, leveraging iDEX initiative.
Self-reliance in Defence Manufacturing: Initiatives like Defence Procurement Procedure (DAP) 2020.
Cooperation with like-minded countries: Agreements like General Security of Military Information Agreement with the US.
Other: Establishment of CERT-In for cyber security, FCRA regulation for foreign NGOs funding, etc.