Electronic Warfare and Cyber Defence Systems is part of Defence Technology. Below are notes on 9 sub-topics, followed by practice MCQs from State PSC and UPSC papers.

Fundamentals of Electronic Warfare (EW): Spectrum, Principles, and Components (ESM, EA, EP)

  • Electronic Warfare (EW) involves the military use of electromagnetic (EM) energy to control the EM spectrum.
  • Primary objectives of EW include denying the enemy access to the EM spectrum, ensuring friendly unimpeded access, and degrad‐
      • Company: Headed by Major or Captain.
      • Battalion: Headed by Colonel.
      • Division: Headed by Major General.
    • Doctrine of Cold Start: An offensive doctrine involving rapid, limited conventional strikes into enemy territory using integrated battle groups and joint operations between services. It is not a purely defensive doctrine and was not formally "launched" in 2004.
    • Oldest Regiment of Indian Army: The Madras Regiment (established in 1758).
    • Param Vir Chakra Awards: The Grenadiers Regiment has received a high number of PVCs (e.g., 3) among various regiments.
    • Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School (CIJWS): Located at Vairengte, Mizoram.
    • First Indian Army Apache Attack Helicopter Unit: Established at Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
    • Cavalry: Soldiers who traditionally fight on horseback.
    • Natural Cover (Fieldcraft & Tactics): Includes geographical features like ravines, hollows, bushes, and reverse slopes.
  • Operation All Clear: Launched by the Royal Bhutan Army against insurgents from North East India.

ing, neutralizing, or destroying enemy combat capability by targeting electronic devices and signals (e.g., navigation).

  • EW is broadly divided into three main components:

Electronic Support Measures (ESM)

Passive intercept and analysis of EM emissions for intelligence, threat identification, and targeting.

Electronic Attack (EA) / Electronic Countermeasures (ECM)

Active use of EM energy (e.g., jamming, spoofing) or anti-radiation weapons to degrade, neutralize, or destroy enemy combat capability (e.g., disabling devices, hacking navigation signals).

Electronic Protection (EP) / Electronic Counter-Countermeasures (ECCM)

Countermeasures (ECCM) Defensive actions to protect friendly personnel, facilities, and equipment from the effects of enemy or friendly EW operations (e.g., frequency hopping, secure communications).

Samyukta

A mobile, ground-based integrated electronic warfare system developed for the

Indian Army.

    • Sangraha An integrated electronic warfare system designed and developed for the

6. Radar, Sonar, and Surveillance Technologies

Indian Navy. It is a distinct system and not a naval version of Samyukta.

    • Garuda An integrated electronic warfare system developed for the Indian Air Force. It is a distinct system and not an Air Force version of Samyukta.
  • Cyber Coalition: NATO's annual collective cyber defence exercise.
  • Cyber Coalition 2013: A specific instance of NATO's cyber security exercise.

Offensive Cyber Operations (OCO) and Cyber Espionage: Capabilities and Counter-Strategies

  • Germany established its first military cyber division (Cyber and Information Space Command - KdoCIR) in 2017, focusing on both defensive and offensive cyber capabilities against foreign states.

Practice MCQs: Electronic Warfare and Cyber Defence Systems

Fundamentals of Electronic Warfare (EW): Spectrum, Principles, and Components (ESM, EA, EP)

  1. Which of the following statements are incorrect regarding Integrated Electronic Warfare System? 1. Electronic Warfare has the objective to disable enemy's electronic devices and hack navigation signals of the enemy. 2. Samyukta is the mobile integrated electronic warfare system of Army. 3. Sangraha has been designed for the Navy, and this is the naval version of Samyukta 4. Garuda is the Air Force version of Samyukta

    Asked in: GPSC Prelims CSP 2 2019

    1. 1, 2, 3 and 4
    2. 2, 3 and 4 only
    3. 2 and 3 only
    4. 1, 2 and 3 only
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 2, 3 and 4 only

    India has developed indigenous Electronic Warfare systems for its three services: Samyukta (Army), Sangraha (Navy), and Garuda (Air Force).

  1. Cyber Coalition 2013 refers to

    Asked in: PPSC CS Prelims 2013

    1. Cyber security exercise conducted by NATO 6. Radar, Sonar, and Surveillance Technologies Understanding military terminology is often part of general knowledge and vocabulary sections.
    2. An organization for cyber security formed by China
    3. A coalition formed by India and South East Asian countries to secure cyberspace
    4. Cyber security exercise conducted by Russia
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Cyber security exercise conducted by NATO 6. Radar, Sonar, and Surveillance Technologies Understanding military terminology is often part of general knowledge and vocabulary sections.

    Cyber Coalition is a well-known, large-scale cyber defence exercise organized by NATO.

Offensive Cyber Operations (OCO) and Cyber Espionage: Capabilities and Counter-Strategies

  1. Which one of the following countries has created its first military cyber division seeking to expand the hacking attacks on foreign states including Islamic states?

    Asked in: WBPSC CS Prelims 2018

    1. Malaysia
    2. Australia
    3. Phillipine
    4. Germany
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Germany

    Germany officially launched its Cyber and Information Space Command (CIR) in April 2017. This marked the establishment of the German military's first dedicated cyber force capable of both defensive and offensive operations.