Evolution of Warfare and Strategic Targeting
International Relations
- PYQs4
- Articles1
Background
UPSC examines the changing nature of warfare, the role of technology in conflict, and the strategic implications of targeting critical infrastructure for national security and international relations.
Modern warfare is increasingly characterized by the deployment of advanced technologies like drones and precision-guided munitions, enabling long-range and strategic targeting of critical infrastructure, which has profound implications for military strategy, economic stability, and civilian protection.
Facts & tables
- Advanced Weaponry
- Use of drones for reconnaissance and strikes, and deployment of new weapon systems like glide bombs.
- Strategic Targets
- Focus on critical economic infrastructure such as oil refineries to disrupt an adversary's capabilities.
- Long-Range Strikes
- Campaigns involving medium and long-range strikes, blurring traditional front lines.
- Civilian Impact
- Increased risk of civilian casualties and damage to residential buildings and non-military sites.
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Geopolitics & International Conflicts |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Conceptual understanding
Prelims angle: Policy measures
- Drones and precision munitions redefine battlefields.
- Critical infrastructure (energy, communication) as key strategic targets.
- Impact on civilian populations and international humanitarian law.
- Asymmetric warfare capabilities for smaller actors.
- Geopolitical implications of technological advancements in defense.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2026 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2024 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2018 | Conceptual understanding, Policy measures |
Timeline
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Geopolitics & International Conflicts
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2018
Conceptual understanding, Policy measures
-
Prelims 2024
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2026
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
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Prelims 2026
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
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Zelenskyy warns of impending massive Russian attack on Ukraine
Modern conflicts leverage drones and precision munitions for strategic targeting of critical infrastructure, leading to significant civilian and economic impacts.
See also
In the news
Zelenskyy warns of impending massive Russian attack on Ukraine
Modern conflicts leverage drones and precision munitions for strategic targeting of critical infrastructure, leading to significant civilian and economic impacts.
Try these PYQs
In the Indian context, what is the implication of ratifying the 'Additional Protocol' with the `International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)'?
India signed the Additional Protocol to the IAEA safeguards agreement on May 15, 2009. An additional protocol to the Safeguards Agreement between the Government of India and the IAEA for the Application of Safeguards to Civilian Nuclear Facilities entered into force on 25 July 2014. Hence option 1 is correct.
Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists :
| List I (BIMSTEC Centre/Establishment) | List II (Location) |
|---|---|
| A. BIMSTEC Cultural Industries Observatory | 1. NOIDA |
| B. BIMSTEC Energy Centre | 2. Bengaluru |
| C. BIMSTEC Centre for Weather and Climate | 3. Colombo |
| D. BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility | 4. Thimphu |
The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) has established several specialized centres to foster regional cooperation. The correct matching of these centres with their locations is as follows: * BIMSTEC Cultural Industries Observatory (BCIO): Located in Thimphu, Bhutan. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for its establishment was signed during the Third BIMSTEC Summit in 2014 to promote cultural cooperation and preserve heritage.
* BIMSTEC Energy Centre (BEC): Located in Bengaluru, India. Housed at the Central Power Research Institute, it coordinates regional energy cooperation, capacity building, and acts as the Secretariat for the BIMSTEC Grid Interconnection Coordination Committee.
* BIMSTEC Centre for Weather and Climate (BCWC): Located in NOIDA, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is hosted at the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF) to enhance regional cooperation in weather prediction, climate modeling, and disaster preparedness.
* BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility (TTF): Located in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The Memorandum of Association (MoA) for its establishment was signed during the Fifth BIMSTEC Summit in 2022 to facilitate technology sharing, innovation, and capacity building among member states. Therefore, the correct matching is A-4, B-2, C-1, D-3, which corresponds to the correct option.
Consider the following UN organisations/agencies :
1. World Food Programme
2. United Nations Children's Fund
3. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
4. International Labour Organisation
How many of the above has/have been awarded the Nobel Prize twice ?
World Food Programme (WFP) was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize once in 2020 for its efforts to combat hunger and prevent its use as a weapon of war and conflict. United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize once in 1965 for its humanitarian work and efforts to enhance solidarity between nations. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize twice (1954 and 1981). The 1954 prize recognized its post-WWII refugee relief efforts, and the 1981 prize honored its ongoing work promoting the fundamental rights of refugees globally. International Labour Organisation (ILO) was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize once in 1969 for its role in improving working conditions, promoting social justice, and contributing to global peace. Since only one organisation (UNHCR) out of the four listed has been awarded the Nobel Prize twice, the correct option is A.
Consider the following pairs :
Country | Reason for being in the news|
|- | -|
|1. Argentina | Worst economic crisis|
|2. Sudan | War between the country's regular army and paramilitary forces|
|3. Turkey | Rescinded its membership of NATO|
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
* Argentina - Worst economic crisis: Correct. Argentina has been facing a severe economic crisis for a while, marked by high inflation, debt, and poverty. * Sudan - War between the country's regular army and paramilitary forces: Correct. Sudan has been engulfed in a violent conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. * Turkey - Rescinded its membership of NATO: Incorrect. Turkey has not rescinded its membership of NATO. While there have been tensions between Turkey and other NATO members, it remains a member. _Therefore, only two out of the three pairs are correctly matched._