In today’s rapidly evolving security landscape, the traditional concepts of warfare are no longer confined to tanks rolling across borders or fighter jets dominating the skies.
Instead, the battlefield has
expanded to include invisible digital fronts and subtle psychological
operations that can cripple a nation without a single bullet fired.
These two overarching categories,
namely kinetic and non-kinetic warfare, serve as the dual foundations of
contemporary conflict.
For Malaysia, a nation situated
in a region rife with geopolitical complexities, understanding and preparing
for both forms of warfare is no longer optional; it is imperative for national
survival.
Understanding Kinetic Warfare
Kinetic warfare is what most
people traditionally think of when they hear the word “war.” It encompasses the
use of direct, physical force through missiles, artillery, infantry, naval
battleships, and aerial bombardments.
This form of warfare seeks to
destroy or incapacitate the enemy’s physical capabilities, such as military
infrastructure, personnel, or critical assets.
Recent conflicts, including the
ongoing war in Ukraine, demonstrate that kinetic warfare remains a dominant
factor. The destruction of military equipment, airbases, and infrastructure
through coordinated strikes or drone attacks clearly illustrates kinetic
action.
Nonetheless, despite the
evolution of methods, including the deployment of drone swarms and
precision-guided munitions, the fundamental aspect continues to be the tangible
effect on the opponent.
For Malaysia, kinetic threats are
very real. From territorial disputes in the South China Sea to the potential
for terrorism and insurgency within its borders, physical confrontations and
security breaches remain plausible risks.
Our armed forces must maintain
strong, well-equipped conventional capabilities to deter and respond to such
threats.
The Rise of Non-Kinetic
Warfare
However, kinetic warfare is only
one half of the equation. Non-kinetic warfare operates in the realm of
information, cyber, economic pressure, and psychological operations.
These tactics aim to weaken an
adversary without engaging in open combat, often by targeting a society’s trust
in its institutions, disrupting critical infrastructure through cyberattacks,
spreading misinformation to sow discord, or leveraging economic vulnerabilities.
Non-kinetic warfare can be
subtle, hard to detect, and devastatingly effective. The cyberattacks on
critical infrastructure such as power grids, financial systems, and
communication networks can bring a nation to its knees without a single missile
launch.
The weaponization of social media
to spread false narratives can divide a population and destabilize governance.
Malaysia, with its rapidly
digitizing economy and society, is especially vulnerable to these threats.
Cyberattacks on government databases, financial institutions, or energy
supplies could cause widespread chaos.
Moreover, the proliferation of
misinformation and influence campaigns can exacerbate ethnic and religious
tensions, undermining social cohesion and political stability.
Why Malaysia Must Address Both
Fronts
Ignoring either kinetic or
non-kinetic threats in today’s interconnected world would be a grave mistake.
Malaysia’s strategic position, diverse population, and economic ambitions make
it a potential target for a wide array of hostile actions.
The hybrid nature of modern
conflicts means adversaries may blend physical attacks with cyber and
psychological tactics, exploiting weaknesses wherever they find them.
Recent events worldwide, such as Operation
Spiderweb, a bold Ukrainian drone strike deep inside Russian territory,
highlights the growing synergy between kinetic and non-kinetic elements in
contemporary warfare.
The use of drones (kinetic tools)
controlled via sophisticated software over mobile networks (a non-kinetic
communication medium) exemplifies this fusion.
Such operations challenge
traditional defence strategies that focus mainly on physical borders and
military hardware.
Building a Holistic Defence
Strategy
To safeguard its sovereignty and
citizens, Malaysia must develop a comprehensive approach that integrates
kinetic and non-kinetic defence measures.
On the kinetic side, modernizing
and enhancing the Malaysian Armed Forces with advanced surveillance, missile defence
systems, and rapid response capabilities is critical.
The emergence of drone warfare,
as shown by recent conflicts, demands the establishment of specialized units
trained to detect, intercept, and neutralize unmanned aerial threats.
Such capabilities are vital to
protecting military assets, critical infrastructure, and urban centres from
sudden kinetic attacks.
On the non-kinetic front,
Malaysia needs to strengthen its cybersecurity infrastructure. This means not
just investing in firewalls and encryption, but also creating proactive
intelligence units capable of anticipating and countering cyber threats before
they manifest.
Public-private partnerships will
be crucial, as much of the country’s critical infrastructure is managed by
private entities.
Equally important is enhancing
resilience against information warfare. Malaysia’s social fabric is delicate,
and the weaponization of social media to spread disinformation could have
serious consequences.
Investing in media literacy
campaigns, improving government transparency, and fostering trust between the
state and its citizens can reduce the effectiveness of psychological operations
aimed at sowing division.
The Role of Intelligence and
Coordination
Effective defence against modern
threats requires seamless coordination between Malaysia’s intelligence
agencies, military, law enforcement, and civilian sectors.
Intelligence must go beyond
traditional espionage and border surveillance; it must include cyber
intelligence, social media monitoring, and analysis of emerging technological
threats.
Malaysia should consider
establishing a dedicated special task force focusing on drone warfare and cyber
defence.
This unit would bring together
experts in electronics, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and
psychological operations to detect, analyse, and respond rapidly to both
kinetic and non-kinetic threats.
A Call to Action
Kinetic and non-kinetic warfare
are no longer distinct realms, but interconnected aspects of a new,
multifaceted battlefield.
Malaysia stands at a crossroads
where preparedness and innovation will determine its ability to safeguard
national security and maintain peace.
By recognizing the evolving
nature of conflict and investing strategically in both kinetic defences and
non-kinetic resilience, Malaysia can build a robust shield against future
threats.
The time to act is now.
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