India’s Hypersonic Missile Technology and the Role of AI in Modern Warfare

India’s Hypersonic Missile and AI in Modern Warfare.

In 2024, India successfully tested its first long-range hypersonic missile, a big achievement in the country’s defence technology. Hypersonic missiles are special types of missiles that can travel faster than five times the speed of sound, or Mach 5. This means they are extremely fast and can cover vast distances quickly, sometimes over 1,500 kilometres. With this new technology, India joins a select group of powerful countries—including the United States, Russia, and China—that also have hypersonic missiles. But with such fast and powerful technology, there are new challenges and concerns, especially with the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to control these weapons.

To understand the importance of this achievement, let us first look at what makes hypersonic missiles different from other missiles.

What are Hypersonic Missiles?

Hypersonic missiles are different from regular missiles because they can travel at hypersonic speeds—this means five times the speed of sound or faster. Imagine a plane flying over 6,000 kilometres per hour! These missiles are not only fast but can also change direction while they are moving, making them difficult to track and stop. Regular ballistic missiles follow a straight or predictable path, making it possible for countries to defend themselves against them with anti-missile systems. But hypersonic missiles are very hard to defend against because they can change paths and are so fast that defence systems may not have time to react.

There are two main types of hypersonic missiles. The first type is called a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV). This type of missile is launched on a rocket, and after reaching a high altitude, it glides down toward its target at hypersonic speeds. The second type is called a hypersonic cruise missile, which uses special engines called scramjets to stay at hypersonic speeds for a long time. India’s hypersonic missile is believed to be a glide vehicle, meaning it reaches high altitude and then glides toward its target. This gives India an important advantage because it can hit distant targets very quickly, making it harder for enemies to defend against such an attack.

Why Hypersonic Missiles are Important for India

India has challenging relationships with some neighbouring countries, like China and Pakistan. China has been building up its military power and has advanced technologies, which has made India want to improve its own defence capabilities. With hypersonic missiles, India has a new way to defend itself and keep potential threats at a distance. These missiles can be used to guard important areas, like the Indian Ocean, which is a vital region for India’s security. By having this technology, India can make it harder for enemy forces to operate freely in areas that are important for India’s safety.

However, having hypersonic missiles is not enough on its own. India needs to carefully plan how it will use these missiles. This involves making sure that the military has the right strategies and training to use these missiles effectively. For example, India’s Army, Navy, and Air Force must work together, sharing information and coordinating their actions. Hypersonic missiles can be powerful tools, but only if they are used wisely and as part of a larger defence plan.’

The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Hypersonic Missiles

One of the newest and most advanced technologies that can be added to hypersonic missiles is Artificial Intelligence, or AI. AI can help these missiles make decisions very quickly, which is necessary when they are travelling at such high speeds. AI can help the missile find and follow its target with great accuracy, even if the target is moving. But while AI can make hypersonic missiles smarter, it also makes them riskier.

With AI, hypersonic missiles could operate on their own, meaning they can make decisions without a human controlling them every moment. For instance, an AI-driven missile could select its path and adjust its speed based on what it “sees” around it. This is useful in combat because it can respond instantly to changes in the situation. But this also raises some concerns because if the AI makes a mistake, it could result in serious accidents. For example, if the AI misunderstands what it is targeting, it might hit the wrong place, which could lead to major problems or even war.

The Risks of AI in Hypersonic Missiles

AI has some challenges that come with its benefits. One of the biggest issues is that AI-driven missiles might make decisions too quickly and without human oversight. In some situations, the AI might mistakenly identify a target, which could lead to accidental attacks. In a high-speed and high-stakes environment, a small error can lead to a big problem very quickly. There is also the risk of AI being “hacked” or tricked by enemies. If someone hacked into the AI, they could control the missile and make it hit unintended targets or even send it back toward its own country. Rootkits are one of the classic examples of it.

Rootkits are a form of malicious software designed to provide unauthorised access to a computer or network while concealing their presence. They operate at various levels of a system, primarily categorised into kernel-mode rootkits and user-mode rootkits. Kernel-mode rootkits operate at the core of the operating system, modifying kernel functions to gain high-level privileges. Their sophistication allows them to evade detection by altering critical system structures and processes, making them particularly dangerous. In contrast, user-mode rootkits run at the application level, replacing executables and modifying application programming interfaces (APIs) to control system behaviour. Although easier to develop, they can still pose significant risks.

A subtype known as bootkits infects the Master Boot Record (MBR) or bootloader, ensuring that it loads before the operating system itself, thus making detection and removal extremely difficult. The potential impact of rootkits on military systems, particularly missile systems, is profound. By providing attackers with persistent access and control over critical infrastructure, rootkits can severely compromise national security. Their stealthy nature allows them to remain undetected for extended periods, enabling attackers to gather intelligence or manipulate system operations without raising alarms.

A notable example is Stuxnet about which the author Kim Zetter has written in the book “Countdown to Zero Day”, discovered in 2010. This sophisticated worm was specifically designed to target Iran’s nuclear facilities, particularly its uranium enrichment centrifuges. Stuxnet exploited multiple zero-day vulnerabilities and employed advanced techniques to sabotage the programmable logic controllers (PLCs) that controlled these centrifuges. By altering their operations, Stuxnet caused significant physical damage—destroying about 1,000 out of 6,000 centrifuges—while remaining hidden for a considerable time.

These risks make it necessary for countries like India to create strong rules and safety measures to protect these weapons. One big challenge here is that different countries have different levels of cybersecurity, which means some countries might not be as well-protected against these kinds of attacks. It is important for all countries with hypersonic weapons to agree on certain security standards so that these powerful weapons are not easily hacked.

Gaps in Global Rules for Hypersonic Missiles and AI

There are international rules and treaties that control nuclear weapons and other powerful arms, but these rules were mostly made before hypersonic missiles and AI technology became so advanced. Right now, there aren’t enough international rules to manage hypersonic missiles that use AI. The current treaties focus on limiting the number of weapons a country can have or where they can keep them, but they don’t cover issues related to AI and machine-driven weapons that can act independently.

This lack of updated arms control laws means that countries are racing to make the best AI-driven hypersonic missiles without clear guidelines on safety. This arms race is concerning because it makes the world less safe. When countries are focused on developing the most advanced weapons, they might overlook important safety checks and ethical considerations. To avoid these risks, countries should work together to create new rules that specifically address the dangers of AI in hypersonic weapons.

How Hypersonic Missiles Affect Peace and Security in South Asia

As India improves its defence technology, it also changes the balance of power in South Asia. For example, Pakistan, which is a neighbouring country, might feel that it needs to develop similar technology to keep up with India. This can create a competition between countries to have the most powerful weapons, known as an arms race. While India’s hypersonic missiles can act as a deterrent, which means discouraging other countries from attacking, they might also make Pakistan feel pressured to match India’s abilities.

This is why it is important for India to not only build strong defence systems but also work with neighbouring countries to avoid misunderstandings. Diplomatic efforts, or talking things out with other countries, can help reduce the risk of conflicts. Hypersonic missiles are mainly for defence, but without clear communication between countries, they could lead to tension and mistrust.

The Economic Impact of Developing Hypersonic Missiles

Developing hypersonic missiles is not just about defence; it also has economic effects. Building and testing these missiles requires a lot of money, advanced technology, and skilled workers. India is trying to become more self-reliant in defence through a policy called “Atmanirbhar Bharat,” which means “self-reliant India.” By building its own advanced weapons, India can reduce its dependence on other countries and strengthen its own industry. India’s government works with private companies like Bharat Dynamics Limited, L&T, and Tata to develop and produce these missiles.

But this self-reliant approach also means that India needs to invest a lot in its defence industry. Hypersonic missiles are expensive to produce, so the government must budget carefully to keep up with the production of these advanced systems. India also needs to keep investing in other areas of its defence, like its air force and navy, so that it has a balanced and well-rounded military. This is important because having a powerful military is not just about one kind of weapon but about having many types that work together.

Moving Forward with Safety and Collaboration

India’s successful hypersonic missile test is an impressive achievement, but it comes with responsibilities. As India continues to advance its technology, it must make sure to develop strong cybersecurity to protect its systems from hacking and other risks. Cybersecurity is especially important for hypersonic missiles because a cyberattack could turn these powerful weapons against their own side or cause major damage unintentionally.

In addition to strengthening its own security, India should work with other countries to develop new rules that focus on hypersonic missiles and AI. Since hypersonic missiles are still a new technology, it is crucial that countries set guidelines that can help prevent misuse and promote peace. For example, countries could agree on international rules that require human oversight in AI weapons, which would help prevent accidents and reduce the risk of unauthorised attacks.

Conclusion

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The Source’s Authority and Ownership of the Article is Claimed By THE STUDY IAS BY MANIKANT SINGH