As India prepares for the rollout of 6G wireless technology, a significant technological leap is on the horizon, promising ultra-fast connectivity, advanced automation, and seamless machine-to-machine communication. However, this advancement brings complex challenges, especially for India’s defense infrastructure. With the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) gearing up to auction crucial frequency bands for telecom giants like Jio, Airtel, BSNL, and Vi, there is growing concern over the potential impact of spectrum allocation on the Indian Air Force (IAF) and broader military operations. The convergence of civilian and defense spectrum usage demands a strategic approach to safeguard national security and maintain electromagnetic integrity.
6G is expected to utilize upper mid-band (7–24 GHz) and sub-terahertz (100 GHz–1 THz) frequencies to enable applications such as holographic communication, AI-driven automation, and hyper-connected IoT ecosystems. While these technologies promise a future of high-speed, intelligent communication, many of the proposed spectrum bands overlap with frequencies critical to military operations, including Beyond Line-of-Sight (BLoS) communications, airborne radar, and encrypted battlefield networks. Historically, mid-band and mmWave spectrums have been allocated to commercial telecom services, but for 6G, the inclusion of defense-critical bands—such as the 7–15 GHz and 100 GHz–1 THz ranges—raises urgent concerns about potential interference. These frequency bands are vital for strategic military functions like secure data transfer, radar surveillance, and electronic warfare capabilities. Therefore, a defense-first approach in spectrum allocation is essential to prevent operational compromise.
The key stakeholders in this process include private telecom operators, defense agencies such as the IAF and Army, and regulatory bodies like the DoT and Ministry of Defence (MoD). A collaborative governance model is necessary to balance economic growth with strategic defense interests. The integration of 6G into military operations presents transformative possibilities, including real-time combat decision-making, improved inter-service coordination, AI-assisted battlefield awareness, secure command-and-control systems, and autonomous drone swarms. Reliable 6G connectivity can enable advanced UAV reconnaissance, encrypted communications using quantum technologies, and AI-powered threat assessments. Yet, these advancements are accompanied by vulnerabilities, particularly to electromagnetic interference (EMI) and cyber threats, which could undermine defense superiority if not addressed with urgency.
Electromagnetic Environmental Preparedness (EEP) is critical to ensuring the operational efficiency of India’s defense forces. Key systems that must remain interference-free include radar warning receivers on combat aircraft, AEW&C platforms, UAV communication networks, ISR satellites, and air-to-ground secure links. Without dedicated spectrum zones, increased spectral congestion may degrade these systems and expose military assets to adversarial jamming, cyber intrusions, and operational delays. Moreover, in conflict scenarios, the absence of regulatory frameworks for emergency spectrum reallocation can significantly hinder military decision-making. It is therefore essential to develop legal protocols granting defense forces priority access to the spectrum during wartime and restricting civilian usage in sensitive zones.
To address these risks, India must implement a defense-centric spectrum strategy. This includes reserving dedicated frequency bands exclusively for military use, enforcing wartime spectrum reallocation protocols, and establishing a Joint Spectrum Security Task Force (JSST) to coordinate efforts between the DoT and MoD. Technologies like adaptive waveform modulation, frequency-hopping, software-defined radios (SDRs), and electromagnetic shielding must be incorporated into defense systems to minimize EMI. Cybersecurity safeguards, including quantum-resilient encryption and AI-driven threat monitoring, should be prioritized to protect military networks. Additionally, India should invest in indigenous R&D to build defense-grade 6G technologies, reducing dependence on foreign systems and strengthening national security infrastructure.
Despite progress, several critical gaps remain unaddressed. India lacks a clear 6G military roadmap and legal frameworks for dynamic spectrum reallocation during emergencies. AI-based spectrum monitoring tools and countermeasures are underdeveloped, while collaboration between the MoD, DoT, and private telecoms is fragmented. Quantum-resilient communications have not been widely implemented, and oversight in space-based communication security poses new vulnerabilities. Addressing these issues is vital to building a secure and future-ready electromagnetic strategy.
Global models offer valuable lessons. In the United States, the Department of Defense (DoD) has adopted a defense-first spectrum policy, using AI-enabled tools to monitor unauthorized use and detect electronic warfare threats. China employs an integrated civil-military strategy, reserving dedicated spectrum for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and utilizing centralized infrastructure to secure military and civilian networks. NATO and the European Union have developed collaborative governance frameworks that exempt military bands from commercial use and impose strict telecom cybersecurity laws. Russia’s strategy is focused on electronic warfare, emphasizing frequency dominance and advanced jamming to exploit vulnerabilities in civilian systems. These case studies highlight the need for India to build a robust, military-prioritized spectrum strategy.
To support air defense and ground operations, the Indian Air Force (IAF) requires dedicated bands for BLoS communication, radar systems, UAV control, and EW resilience. The 7–15 GHz band is essential for encrypted UAV and drone data links, while the 20–30 GHz range supports high-speed command-and-control functions. The 8–12 GHz (X-band) and 33–36 GHz (Ka-band) are vital for fire control and SAR surveillance radars. The 77–81 GHz band is used in tactical drone operations, while sub-terahertz (100 GHz–1 THz) frequencies enable secure EW, jamming resistance, and quantum communications. Military satellite operations rely on the 30–40 GHz (V-band) and 220–330 GHz bands for high-speed ISR and battlefield networking. Protecting these bands is essential to prevent EMI, ensure secure data links, and maintain dominance in air and cyber warfare environments.
International examples highlight the consequences of shared spectrum use. In the U.S., the DoD opposed commercial use of the L-band due to interference with GPS and precision-guided weapons. In China, the government has secured exclusive spectrum for military use to operate drone swarms and cyber-electronic warfare systems. Russia’s EW capabilities in Ukraine further demonstrate how frequency control can determine battlefield success, as Russian forces successfully jammed Ukrainian communications and drone frequencies. India has also experienced spectrum interference in sensitive regions like the LAC and Indo-Pak border, where hostile signals disrupted surveillance and reconnaissance missions. These incidents underscore the necessity of an exclusive, encrypted military spectrum.
India’s path forward lies in adopting a hybrid spectrum management model. This approach balances economic growth through controlled commercial spectrum use with the need to secure military operations. Key steps include reserving military-exclusive bands, fortifying telecom infrastructure with advanced cybersecurity tools, implementing AI-powered spectrum surveillance, and enacting wartime spectrum protocols. Prioritizing defense in spectrum allocation, fostering collaboration between DoT, MoD, and private operators, and developing national cybersecurity infrastructure are essential components. Strategic partnerships with global allies will help India integrate best practices in electronic warfare defense and spectrum management.
By combining dynamic spectrum governance, electromagnetic shielding, AI-based interference mitigation, and quantum-secured communication frameworks, India can secure its place as a global 6G leader while maintaining military preparedness. As the electromagnetic battlefield becomes increasingly contested, safeguarding spectrum access and operational readiness must remain at the heart of India’s digital and defense strategies.
The author is a distinguished authority in AI and Next-Generation Electronic Warfare, alongside renowned experts in the field. He is widely recognized as a pioneer in integrating emerging technologies with Defence Strategies globally
