“Asymmetric warfare” quickly became one of the buzzwords as renewed terrorist activity brought the world into a new era of conflict on September 11, 2001. These buzzwords do pop up in military circles from time to time, and some remain popular for quite some time. As conventional warfare continues to adapt to new conditions and socio-political developments, and as the scope of belligerents expands to encompass non-traditional enemies such as terrorists and cartels, buzzwords seem to come and go at the speed of modern conflict. But asymmetric warfare, while a relatively recent term, is no longer the last word – and the buzz has shifted to include a new doctrine designed to meet it – and future challenges.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of modern warfare, traditional military strategies are being redefined to adapt to the challenges posed by emerging technologies, asymmetric threats, and the interconnected nature of global conflicts. Mosaic warfare is a concept that has emerged as a response to this shifting paradigm. This essay delves into the principles, applications, and implications of mosaic warfare – exploring how this approach is reshaping the future of military operations. Mosaic warfare represents a departure from the conventional, centralised models of military planning and execution. Unlike the traditional “big bang” approach, where a single, monolithic force is deployed for a specific mission, mosaic warfare embraces a decentralised and networked structure. The term “mosaic” reflects the idea of assembling a diverse and flexible array of capabilities, assets, and technologies to respond dynamically to a wide range of threats.

At its core, mosaic warfare leverages the principles of distributed lethality, adaptability, and interoperability. The goal is to create a flexible and resilient force capable of adapting in real-time to the dynamic nature of modern conflict. This approach acknowledges the reality that warfare is no longer confined to state-on-state confrontations but now encompasses a broad spectrum of challenges – including cyber threats, hybrid warfare, and unconventional tactics.

Principles of mosaic warfare

Decentralisation: Mosaic warfare emphasises decentralisation, allowing individual units or components of a force to operate autonomously. This decentralisation enhances agility and reduces vulnerability by avoiding single points of failure. Interoperability: Interoperability is a cornerstone of mosaic warfare, ensuring that diverse elements of a force can seamlessly collaborate and share information. This interoperability extends beyond traditional military units to include cyber capabilities, intelligence assets, and unmanned systems.

Adaptability: The ability to adapt quickly to changing circumstances is crucial in modern conflicts. Mosaic warfare leverages adaptive technologies, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, to analyse data in real-time and inform decisionmaking at various levels of command.

Distributed lethality: Rather than concentrating firepower on a single platform, mosaic warfare distributes lethality across a variety of platforms and domains. This approach not only complicates the adversary’s decision-making but also enhances the survivability and effectiveness of the overall force.

Applications of Mosaic Warfare

Decentralisation: Mosaic warfare emphasises decentralisation, allowing individual units or components of a force to operate autonomously. This decentralisation enhances agility and reduces vulnerability by avoiding single points of failure. Interoperability: Interoperability is a cornerstone of mosaic warfare, ensuring that diverse elements of a force can seamlessly collaborate and share information. This interoperability extends beyond traditional military units to include cyber capabilities, intelligence assets, and unmanned systems.

Adaptability: The ability to adapt quickly to changing circumstances is crucial in modern conflicts. Mosaic warfare leverages adaptive technologies, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, to analyse data in real-time and inform decisionmaking at various levels of command.

Distributed lethality: Rather than concentrating firepower on a single platform, mosaic warfare distributes lethality across a variety of platforms and domains. This approach not only complicates the adversary’s decision-making but also enhances the survivability and effectiveness of the overall force.

Applications of Mosaic Warfare

Cyber operations: Mosaic warfare acknowledges the significance of cyber capabilities as integral components of modern military operations. By integrating cyber warfare into the broader mosaic, military forces can disrupt, degrade, or neutralise adversary networks and systems.

Unmanned systems: The use of unmanned aerial, ground, and naval systems is a key aspect of mosaic warfare. These systems, equipped with advanced sensors and communication technologies, contribute to the distributed nature of the force while minimising risks to human operators.

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning: Mosaic warfare leverages AI and machine learning to process vast amounts of data rapidly, providing commanders with actionable insights. This enhances the decision-making process and allows for adaptive responses to evolving threats.

Information warfare: Beyond traditional kinetic operations, mosaic warfare recognises the importance of information warfare. Psychological operations, social media influence campaigns, and strategic communications are integrated into the overall strategy to shape perceptions and gain a strategic advantage.

Implications and Challenges

Ethical considerations: The use of autonomous systems and advanced technologies in mosaic warfare raises ethical questions. Concerns about accountability, transparency, and the potential for unintended consequences must be carefully addressed to ensure responsible and lawful conduct.

Technological dependence: While mosaic warfare capitalises on advanced technologies, there is a risk of overreliance. Dependence on interconnected systems could create vulnerabilities, making military forces susceptible to cyberattacks or disruptions to critical infrastructure.

Strategic shifts: Mosaic warfare necessitates a shift in strategic thinking. Military planners must adapt to a more dynamic and fluid operational environment, requiring continuous training and education to ensure personnel are prepared for the complexities of mosaic warfare.

Inter-service coordination: Achieving effective inter-service coordination is a challenge in mosaic warfare. Different branches of the military, each with its unique capabilities and assets, must seamlessly collaborate. This requires standardised communication protocols and joint training exercises.

Examples

Consider the deployment of a joint operations task force to an arena of battle. Traditional warfare will require conventional forces to be deployed, utilising existing logistical networks, and placed on the battlefield ready for action. Any mistakes, miscalculations or operational shortcomings will be reported and then actioned, and changes will be made to the composition of forces.

In a Mosaic doctrine response, a smaller reconnaissance beachhead force might land to exert control over a limited territory, secure plant and raw materials with modular blueprints close to the forward areas and then ascertain the requirements of the specific battlefield. The joint operations force would then essentially print the army it needs on site rather than moving all infrastructure in and out of the field.

Personnel – the easiest military cargo – will then be the only component to transport to the battlefield. This can shorten deployment times by half, if not more.

Mosaic warfare represents a transformative approach to military strategy, reflecting the realities of contemporary conflict and the evolving nature of threats. By embracing principles of decentralisation, interoperability, adaptability, and distributed lethality, military forces can navigate the complexities of modern warfare more effectively. The application of mosaic warfare extends beyond traditional battlefields, encompassing cyber domains, unmanned systems, and information warfare. As technological advancements continue to shape the future of conflict, the mosaic warfare concept provides a framework for military planners to harness the full spectrum of capabilities at their disposal.