Low-Tech/Lower Cost Solutions to High-Tech Problems

Facing the China Conundrum

Abstract

The research article "Low-Tech/Lower Cost Solutions to High-Tech Problems: Facing the China Conundrum" by Group Captain Uttar Kumar explores pragmatic, low-technology strategies for the Indian armed forces, particularly the Indian Air Force (IAF), to counter China's technologically advanced military capabilities amid growing tensions along disputed borders. Highlighting China’s military modernization under informatised conditions and its Anti-Access/Area-Denial (A2AD) strategy, driven by an aging population and a desire to assert superpower status by 2049, the paper argues that India must bridge the technological gap with affordable and adaptable solutions. Drawing from historical examples like the Taliban and Vietnamese MiG-21 successes against superior forces, it emphasizes the resilience and cost-effectiveness of low-tech options. The article outlines defensive measures such as using carrier pigeons, pack animals, smoke screens, and 3D printing for logistics, alongside pharmacological aids like modafinil to enhance troop alertness, to mitigate China’s denial tactics in communication, logistics, and precision strikes.

In its offensive scope, the paper proposes unconventional tactics to disrupt China’s high-tech advantage, including deploying trained birds of prey to neutralize unmanned aerial systems (UAS), leveraging existing radio towers for jamming enemy communications, and utilizing cell towers for intelligence gathering and denial operations. It also suggests remote gun positions with simple trigger mechanisms in mountainous terrain to maximize firepower with minimal troop exposure. These low-tech solutions, characterized by affordability, reliability, and flexibility, aim to complement India’s ongoing modernization efforts until full Network-Centric Warfare (NCW) capability is achieved. The article concludes that integrating such measures enhances adaptability and fosters innovation, ensuring the Indian armed forces remain effective against a superior adversary like China in evolving warfare scenarios.