The competition for networks is emerging as a critical factor in modern warfare, according to senior military officials from the Indo-Pacific region. During a discussion on March 14, 2024, at AFCEA’s TechNet Indo-Pacific in Hawaii, Lt. Gen. Joshua Rudd, deputy commander of INDOPACOM, highlighted this trend as a “mega trend” that underpins various aspects of contemporary conflict.
Understanding the Mega Trend
Adm. Samuel Paparo, the commander of INDOPACOM, emphasizes that networking capabilities are paramount for effective military operations. Rudd explained that the competition for networks encompasses three specific meta trends: information and cognitive operations, the democratization of drones, and the use of precision strike capabilities. He stated, “If you can’t network all these systems capabilities together on an architecture that enables us to connect and apply and move data, move information, move updated software at the speed of war, none of that works.”
The information revolution is still in its early stages, according to Rudd, who noted the powerful impact of social media and artificial intelligence on political decision-making and public opinion. He remarked, “What happens on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, that might affect whether we do or don’t move troops and how fast they get there.” Rudd underscored that narratives shaped through information operations can determine the timing and conditions under which military actions are initiated.
Drones and Precision Warfare
On the topic of drones, Rudd acknowledged the significant role they have played in recent conflicts, particularly in Ukraine. He cautioned against viewing modern warfare solely as drone warfare, but recognized that these unmanned systems have fundamentally changed the nature of combat. “Gone are the days where only great powers possessed unmanned capability,” he stated, highlighting how even small startups can now produce capable drones at scale and speed.
Rudd illustrated how consumer drones have transformed defensive strategies, allowing forces to operate in ways that were unimaginable a decade ago. He noted that these systems can be employed to scout and clear areas before human troops are deployed, reducing risks significantly.
The third meta trend involves advances in space access, propulsion technologies, and computing power, which enhance targeting precision and speed. Rudd explained, “Survivable, penetrating strike warfare is becoming an increasingly salient tool for influencing political decision makers.” This capability, he added, is crucial in a region where distances present unique challenges for military operations.
“When precision munitions can travel thousands of miles and strike critical targets with minimal collateral damage, the calculus of deterrence changes exponentially,” Rudd said, emphasizing the importance of developing these capabilities throughout the Indo-Pacific region.
Ultimately, Rudd concluded that the integration of these capabilities is vital. “We would argue, space, cyber, sensors, AI compute, and 5G are all enabling the data, the compute power, the transport, and security to bring things that have never happened at the speed and scale of a war in a conflict that we potentially face.”
The future of security in the Indo-Pacific hinges on mastering cognitive operations, counter-assault capabilities, and precision strikes, shaping the landscape of international military competition.