Rapid Development of AI for Indian Defence from 2025

In preparation for the future of warfare, which is anticipated to be dominated by autonomous and AI-enabled technologies, India is quickly modernising its military capabilities with a significant emphasis on drones, artificial intelligence (AI), and sophisticated combat vehicles. This change is all-encompassing, incorporating strategic imports, local innovation, and an emphasis on self-sufficiency through initiatives like “Make in India.” AI-enabled combat drones, superior counter-drone systems, and a sizable fleet of cutting-edge, contemporary combat vehicles are the main components of India’s future-ready military force. This endeavour, which aims to preserve operational dominance and strategic autonomy in the face of an increasingly complex security environment, is in line with the worldwide transition towards unmanned and AI-driven combat. Global defence is being quickly redefined by artificial intelligence (AI), and India is becoming a major participant in the battle for military technology. Indian defence businesses, both state-owned and commercial, are integrating AI into surveillance, combat systems, and aerospace platforms under the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision and the iDEX (Innovation for defence Excellence) framework. India is creating an AI-powered military ecosystem that improves national security and creates new prospects for international defence exports by fusing the skills of established PSUs like BEL and HAL with nimble private innovators like Zen Technologies, Paras Defence and Space Technologies Ltd, and Data Patterns. Adoption of AI is speeding self-reliance in addition to providing operational dominance, which is a significant change in how India gets ready for war in the twenty-first century.

In India, individual predictive AI models are surpassing human analysts.

The Saksham Counter-Unmanned Aerial System Grid, an AI-powered network created by BEL to identify, monitor, and neutralize drones in real time and protect India’s tactical airspace, was introduced by the Indian Army.

An indigenous real-time drone detection and neutralization network called the “Saksham” Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Grid was introduced by the Indian Army.

A modular, AI-powered Command and Control (C2) system called “Saksham” (Situational Awareness for Kinetic Soft and Hard Kill Assets Management) is intended to detect, track, identify, and neutralize hostile drones and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in real time.

It serves as the foundation of India’s Counter-UAS Grid, protecting the Tactical Battlefield Space (TBS), which is low-altitude airspace and ground.

Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Ghaziabad, worked with the Indian Army’s Corps of Air Defence to design and build the system in-house.

It is authorized for fast rollout across all field formations under the Fast Track Procurement (FTP) method.

It seeks to improve India’s defence capabilities against airborne intrusions, weapon delivery, and drone-based monitoring.

Its goal is to guarantee integrated airspace management up to the Air Littoral zone, which is 3,000 meters (10,000 feet), improving situational awareness and reaction capabilities in contemporary hybrid warfare.

It integrates real-time data from all sensors, drones, and counter-UAS systems while operating over the secure Army Data Network (ADN).

Data from friendly, hostile, and neutral aerial entities are combined to provide a GIS-based unified air picture.

To rapidly intercept and neutralize threats, it smoothly connects with India’s automated air defense network, the Akashteer System.

It uses AI-based fusion technologies to automatically classify threats and make decisions on soft and hard kills.

Key Features:

Real-Time Detection & Neutralization: Instantaneously locates, tracks, and neutralizes hostile drones up to 3,000 meters (Air Littoral).

AI-Driven Fusion Technology: Automatically initiates soft/hard kill reactions by classifying drones as friendly, neutral, or hostile using AI and ML.

Integrated Command & Management System: Provides unified airspace management by integrating sensors, radars, and weapons on a GIS-based digital grid.

Secure Army Data Network Connectivity: Enables cyber-secure, real-time data exchange across formations via the encrypted ADN.

Interoperability with Akashteer: Automated aerial threat interception is linked to the Akashteer Air Defence System.

Both modular and upgradeable Design: Designed to incorporate new sensors, jammers, or laser/EMP systems with ease.

Unified Threat Picture: Air and ground threats are shown together on a single operating dashboard in the Unified Threat Picture.

Dual Soft & Hard Kill Capability: Depending on the danger level, it uses both kinetic destruction (hard kill) and jamming/spoofing (soft kill).

Inside the IAF’s New AI-Powered Air Defence Shield to Counter Missile Threats and Drone Swarms in Seconds in 2026

In order to enhance predictive air defence, shorten sensor-to-shooter times, and fortify India’s multi-layered defence against drones and missile threats, the Indian Air Force modernized IACCS with AI-native architecture.

For India’s air defence network, the AI-native IACCS upgrade is expected to be a significant force multiplier. The Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) is being updated with cutting-edge artificial intelligence capabilities by the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Bharat Electronics Limited in order to shorten sensor-to-shooter times, enhance predictive threat analysis, and fortify multi-layered air defence operations throughout the nation.

For quicker military judgments, it integrates radar feeds, satellite inputs, fighter aircraft data, airborne warning systems, and missile defence systems into a single operational picture.

IACCS’s primary duties include:

• Real-time surveillance of airspace
• Finding adversary aircraft, drones, and missiles
• Interceptor systems and radars working together
• Quicker choices about engagement in combat
• Air defence assets from the Army, Navy, and Air Force are integrated.

One of India’s most significant network-centric combat systems, the system is based on the Indian Air Force’s AFNET digital backbone.

Upgrade to IAF AI-native IACCS: How AI Will Revolutionize IACCS

Under the new system, data will be automatically processed and combined by artificial intelligence from:

•  AWACS and AEW&C aircraft
•  Civilian radar systems
•  Fighter aircraft like Rafale and Tejas
•  Ground-based radars
•  Space-based sensors

As a result, military leaders are able to recognize threats more quickly and respond with more accuracy thanks to the creation of a single Common Operational Picture (COP).

Significant AI Capabilities Added

Sensor Fusion with Intelligence

AI is able to eliminate erroneous or duplicate signals and correlate many radar tracks in real time.

Among the benefits are:

•  Quicker recognition of targets

•  Diminished false alarms
•  Improved monitoring of drones and stealth aircraft
•  Enhanced awareness of the battlefield

Predictive Analysis of Threats

In order to anticipate adversary intent before an assault is completely developed, the AI system analyzes movement patterns, speed, trajectory, and altitude.

Quicker “Sensor-to-Shooter” Timeframes

The upgrade’s primary objective is to shorten the interval between:

1. Being aware of a danger

2. Verifying the intended outcome

3. Initiating an interceptor reaction

AI-native IAF IACCS AI-Based Decision Support System (DSS) is an upgrade

The enhanced IACCS has a sophisticated Decision Support System (DSS).

The AI engine may suggest the optimal interception strategy after identifying a danger depending on:

• Altitude
• Probability of kill
• Range
• Target speed
• Weapon availability

Potential systems for responding include:

• Akash missile systems
• Counter-drone weapons
• Fighter aircraft interception
• S-400 air defence systems

However, human commanders will still have the last say over engagement permission.

Attentive to Modern Air Threats and Drone Swarms

Modern warfare is becoming more and more controlled by:

• Cruise missiles
• Electronic warfare systems
• Loitering munitions
• UAV swarms

The AI-enabled IACCS is made to automatically rank the most hazardous targets and assign interceptor systems appropriately.

This is significant because:

Conventional systems may be overpowered by drone strikes

Rapid automated choices are necessary for simultaneous attacks

During mass attacks, human-only monitoring takes longer

Joint Air Defense Coordination

Additionally, the enhanced IACCS is being integrated with:

•  Army’s Akashteer system
•  Joint Air Defence Centre (JADC)
•  Navy’s Trigun network

As a result, the national air defence grid will be united and tri-service cooperation will strengthen.

Experts predict that this integration would be crucial to the future theatre command system in India.

The Significance of IAF AI-native IACCS Upgrade

India is facing increasing regional air defence problems, such as the following, which makes the AI-native IACCS upgrade crucial:

• Drone incursions
• Electronic warfare
• Long-range missile threats
• Multi-front conflict scenarios
• Stealth aircraft

The new design seeks to offer:

• Quicker reaction from the military

• Enhanced vision on the battlefield

• More robust security in the skies

• Increased success rates for interceptions
• A higher chance of surviving saturating attacks

India’s Struggle for Domestic Defence Technology

The project also demonstrates India’s increasing emphasis on domestic military technology as part of the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” policy. Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) is a key player in the following development:

•  Akashteer
•  Counter-drone systems
•  Electronic warfare platforms
•  IACCS
•  Radar systems

The growing adoption of AI in defence systems is indicative of a global trend toward predictive combat systems and intelligent warfare networks. The “Saksham” Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (CUAS) incorporates real-time AI-driven analytics to differentiate between hostile, neutral, and friendly aerial entities in order to attack mistaken locations.

The system uses a number of fundamental techniques to address these threats:

Unified Battlefield Picture: It combines data from radars, electronic sensors, and optical payloads throughout the battlefield to provide a GIS-based Recognized UAS Picture.

• AI-Enabled Analytics: It makes use of payload signature evaluations and AI-driven predictive threat analysis to identify if a target is a friendly asset or a real threat.

• Automated Safety Overrides: The system prioritizes automated countermeasures (such as jamming, spoofing, or kinetic interception) only for recognized hostile targets while permitting unconstrained mobility for friendly aircraft assets due to its precise real-time target identification. The Indian Air Force’s (IAF) native systems, such as the Akash and Indrajaal, and its AI- native enhancements to its Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) are designed to combat mistaken or spoofing locations. The system actively detects, categorizes, and eliminates misleading threats by combining automated sensor fusion, deep learning, and real-time electronic warfare (EW) countermeasures.

How it recognizes and combats deceptive threats

• Sensor Fusion & Pattern Recognition: The AI concurrently compares data from satellite networks, electro-optical sensors, and 3D tactical radars. This aids in separating real targets from decoy drones, radar reflections, and ghost-targets produced by hostile spoofing.

• Electronic Warfare (EW) & GNSS Spoofing: The shield uses RF jamming and global navigation satellite system (GNSS) spoofing to counter adversary electronic attacks that aim to misdirect or conceal targets. It disrupts enemy swarms’ means of communication and navigation, making it impossible for them to target or conceal locations.

  “Friend-or-Foe” (IFF) Protocols: Automated Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) algorithms are built into the AI-native architecture. This stops friendly fire and disregards incorrect coordinate placements in airspace that is under dispute.

The IAF’s transition to this “smart” multi-layered, automated defence architecture substitutes nearly instantaneous threat assessment for sluggish, human-in-the-loop decision-making. This guarantees that even in the event that an adversary employs swarm-deception and saturation techniques, both military and civilian infrastructure are safeguarded.

During Operation Sindoor, India’s AI-enabled drones and systems proved to be extremely successful, with a claimed accuracy rate of more than 90% in threat recognition and intelligence analysis. Indian troops were able to circumvent Pakistani air defences, assess multi-sensor data in real time, and plan precise long-range attacks with excellent operational efficiency because to the incorporation of artificial intelligence.

The following operational victories demonstrate how successful these AI-driven capabilities were during the cross-border conflicts:

• High-Precision Targeting: 94% of enemy radar and missile signatures were accurately recognized and mapped using AI-driven programs, such as Electronic Combat and Analysis Systems (ECAS). As a result, the Indian Army and Air Force were able to destroy enemy air bases and terror bases without losing any Indian military hardware.

• Seamless Surveillance and Reconnaissance: Continuous, real-time data feeds were given by systems like the Heron Mk II drones supplied by Israel. Combat commanders were given a coherent, unambiguous image of cross-border deployments through the use of artificial intelligence for multi-sensor data fusion.

• Predictive Weather and Tactical Modelling: AI systems such as “Anuman 2.0” were used to provide high-precision 48-hour weather forecasts within a 200-kilometer radius. Indian artillery battalions were able to calculate and direct fire with a clear tactical advantage because to this predictive modelling.

Defensive Counter-UAS Integration: On the defensive front, incoming Pakistani drones and missiles were effectively detected and neutralized by India’s Integrated Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Grid, which was supported by cutting-edge AD systems like the domestic Akash missile.

Pakistan still presents India with a constant security risk and difficulty. Top Indian security officials, such as Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, insist that Pakistan has not significantly changed its approach to cross-border terrorism, hence maintaining India’s two-front danger.

Important facets of the continuous dynamic consist of:

• State-Sponsored Terrorism: According to India, Pakistan still harbours, supports, and uses terrorist groups as state proxies, which calls for constant, high-level border surveillance and deterrent.

• Hostile Rhetoric: Prominent Pakistani military and political officials, such as Army Chief Asim Munir, have publicly warned India that Islamabad is still prepared to react violently to any perceived future provocations.

• Information Warfare: Pakistan has actively participated in psychological operations and digital initiatives aimed at deceiving the world public and warping the strategic narrative following previous battles.

• Technological and Cross-Border Alliances: According to security analysts, Pakistan is still receiving equipment, technology, and intelligence support from outside sources, which presents continuous interoperability and intelligence issues for Indian defence strategy.

Pakistan’s Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) systems, automated electronic warfare platforms, and networked battle coordination—all of which are greatly supported by strategic alliances with China—are the core of its AI-enabled targeting capabilities.

The following are important pillars of Pakistan’s automated defence ecosystem and artificial intelligence:

• CENTAIC: The Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Computing (CENTAIC), run by the Pakistan Air Force, is the main centre for sensor fusion, data analytics, and intelligence archiving.

• Automated Cyber-Defensive Frameworks: Pakistan has employed cyber-defensive reaction systems (like Operation Shadow Gate) in previous border wars. These networks use cloud computing platforms and AI algorithms to evaluate old radar data, maximize jamming frequencies, and interfere with automated Indian defences.

• Sensor Networks and Drone Swarms: Pakistan employs AI-assisted software to improve the targeting precision of its locally produced and imported Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), including the Burraq and Shahpar. These devices can help operators differentiate between military targets and civilian surroundings by training image-recognition models using drone and satellite data.

• Chinese Integration: Pakistan’s modernization of AI is directly related to the gear it purchases from China. The Pakistani military creates real-time kill-chains enabling quicker targeting and electronic countermeasures by combining networked satellite relays, Chinese-supplied J-10C fighter planes, and HQ-series air defence systems.

Pakistan’s strategic doctrine places a strong emphasis on a “human-in-the-loop” or “human-on-the-loop” approach, in contrast to India, which aggressively invests in completely autonomous and automated Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS). Islamabad formally opposes the employment of LAWS in the area because it believes that completely automated targeting without human judgment and autonomous strike drones reduce the threshold for conflict.

Whether in India or throughout the world, deliberate manipulation of the data, programming, or decision-making frameworks that control AI systems is typically the cause of corruption. Experts and academics have found a number of weaknesses in India’s expanding AI ecosystem:

Techniques for Corrupting AI

• Algorithmic Capture: This is the deliberate manipulation of AI systems to consistently benefit particular parties. For instance, the code for fraud detection or computerized procurement may be altered to direct contracts toward “cronies” or to conceal misconduct.

• Data Poisoning and Manipulation: The quality of AI models depends on the data they are trained on. The final AI will reflect any biases or deliberate corruption in the training data.

• Input Manipulation: By making little adjustments to input data, systems can be “tricked.” For example, in the medical field, physicians may hypothetically change a few pixels in a picture to trick an AI into thinking a benign mole is malignant in order to justify costly treatments.

• Bribery of Human Gatekeepers: The people in charge of the AI can still allow corruption to infiltrate the process. It is possible to entice dishonest insiders to alter digital systems or provide illegal access to private information.

“AI Washing” and Financial Misconduct: In order to get funding or exaggerate growth metrics, several companies have been accused of inflating their AI capabilities by employing human labour while claiming it is automated.

Vulnerabilities in the context of India

• Black Box Problem: Because AI systems are opaque, it is challenging to audit how they arrive at certain conclusions, which might allow dishonest operations to go undetected.

• Legacy Systems: Opponents contend that corrupt systems now in existence, such as those involving the police, judiciary, or bureaucracy, may be resistant to AI’s replacement or improvement.

Implementation Lags: Although India is developing AI Cities like Lucknow and promoting programs like the IndiaAI Mission, regulatory frameworks frequently fall behind the quick speed of technology advancement.

AI-assisted hacks, data poisoning, and cognitive warfare are the main ways that non-state actors (NSAs)—such as militant organizations, cybercriminals, and proxies—manipulate contemporary AI and fight networks. NSAs get beyond traditional defences and interfere with command systems by taking advantage of flaws in network design.

These actors use a number of distinct methods to target complex software:

• Data Poisoning & Algorithmic Manipulation: NSAs introduce hostile data into AI models’ training datasets or real-time operational streams. This “poisons” the system, making it misidentify hostile drones as friendly, misclassify targets, or misunderstand situational data.

• AI-Generated Distractions and Deepfakes: During actual operations, NSAs use generative AI to flood communications networks with fake alarms, artificial media, and deepfakes. Confusion, a delay in human reactions, and a breakdown in operational coordination are all caused by this information overload.

• Automated Supply Chain Exploitation: NSAs utilize machine learning methods to find and take advantage of weaknesses in logistical supply chains and linked warfare networks. They can remotely penetrate or interfere with the network by automating the identification of weak spots, such as unpatched older systems or third-party hardware.

Swarm Techniques and Autonomous Drones: NSAs use commercially available drone swarms with AI capabilities. These swarms defeat conventional anti-air defences and control the combat environment because they are able to autonomously detect, track, and hit targets.

India’s defence establishment, which is headed by organizations like the Defence AI Council (DAIC), places a strong emphasis on creating domestic, localized AI and robotics capabilities to safeguard networks in order to combat these threats.

The use of AI for targeting by the Indian military is heavily organized around local infrastructure, integration of sensitive data, and unique operational doctrines.

• Doctrine: Multi-domain warfighting tactics and a completed plan for incorporating AI, machine learning, and big data into command-and-control operations form the foundation of India’s framework.

• Infrastructure: Massive computational pushes, such as secret clusters of accelerators reserved just for military pilots, provide vital processing in order to maintain defence sovereignty.

Data: India makes extensive use of specialized datasets. For example, decades of deployment data are processed by the Indian Army’s AI initiatives to enable real-time target detection along critical borders. The military’s strategy for AI targeting, which only relies on “human-in-the-loop” technologies that have only been tested and improved within the nation’s distinct geopolitical operational context, essentially reflects worldwide technical gaps.

In order to combine digital monitoring with human intelligence, India has developed a sizable AI infrastructure. The convergence of AI and national security is becoming more and more important to India’s intelligence agency, driven by a significant push for sovereign capabilities.

The following are important elements of this architecture:

Integrated Data Synthesis (NATGRID): The operational heart of Integrated Data Synthesis (NATGRID) is India’s National Intelligence Grid. It functions as an integrated intelligence master database that instantly compiles enormous datasets from twenty-one distinct public and commercial institutions, such as banking, immigration, and telecommunications.

Next-Gen Analytical Engines (Gandiva AI): Systems such as Gandiva AI are utilized to quickly correlate these enormous datasets and are integrated directly into NATGRID. High-speed pattern recognition, identification matching, and anomaly detection are all performed by the AI to identify dangers and support investigators from various agencies.

Cutting-Edge Electronic Surveillance (Prajna): The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and its Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR) provided Prajna, also known as PRANA, for electronic and visual intelligence. It is a satellite data processing system driven by artificial intelligence that continually scans pictures to automatically identify suspicious movements and activities in sensitive or distant areas in almost real time.

Human Intelligence (HUMINT) Augmentation: To support field workers and intelligence officers, sophisticated data integration and predictive inference systems are employed. AI creates a consolidated operational picture that helps identify risks and follow people of interest by combining enormous volumes of background data, communication intercepts, and biometric information.

Sovereign AI Infrastructure: As part of the IndiaAI Mission, the government is actively building native Foundational AI Models and increasing domestic computational capacity to over 38,000 GPUs. This guarantees that training models and sensitive intelligence data are kept solely inside secure, domestic surroundings.

During the May conflicts in 2025, a number of native AI capabilities were employed with the goal of enhancing battlefield awareness and expediting decision-making. These technologies are now being extended, including in a broad language model tailored to the military.

Where does the buck stop when AI and predictive intelligence develop daily?

“They will keep integrating, and eventually that will be seen as a form of normality. According to Peter Asaro, an associate professor of media studies and philosopher of technology at The New School in New York City, “what is emerging is not an exception but a new baseline, where AI-mediated targeting, backed by private data ecosystems, becomes routine.”

Thousands of Hezbollah members’ pagers burst nearly simultaneously throughout Lebanon in September 2024 as part of an extraordinary Israeli operation.

The event was perceived as a very sophisticated operation involving device manipulation at a deep supply chain point. Some recognized it as a very accurate surgery, while many others thought it set a risky precedent.

“They are gathering geolocation data from communications and then basically using the information from your cell phone to ascertain whether you are a Hamas member.” Peter Asaro continued, “It seems like a terrible precedent for any society.”

To improve threat identification, follow movements, and offer early warning capabilities in difficult terrain, the Indian Army has deployed AI-driven reconnaissance drones and sensor fusion technology along the LoC and LAC.

In order to strengthen security along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China and the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan, the Indian Army is quickly increasing its usage of artificial intelligence (AI) and is poised for a technological revolution. India’s military policy is rapidly being shaped by AI-driven surveillance, cyber defence, and predictive analytics, which allow for quicker and more efficient decision-making in high-risk situations.

The use of AI signifies a significant change in military operations, from cyberwarfare tools combating digital threats to AI-powered drones and automated battlefield surveillance. These developments are in line with the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) larger transformation strategy, which has set 2025 as the “Year of Reforms,” emphasizing interoperability and technology modernization throughout the armed services.

AI-Powered Monitoring: Increasing Border Security

To improve threat identification, follow movements, and offer early warning capabilities in difficult terrain, the Indian Army has deployed AI-driven reconnaissance drones and sensor fusion technology along the LoC and LAC. Speaking anonymously, a senior Army source stated: “AI helps us process vast amounts of surveillance data in real-time, allowing commanders to react swiftly to emerging threats.”

India demonstrated the capabilities of AI-powered military technologies, such as robotic mules, kamikaze drones, and swarm drones, in real-time combat situations at Exercise Swavlamban Shakti in October 2024. Project Sanjay, a network of AI-enabled surveillance centres that analyze battlefield intelligence to improve coordination and reaction effectiveness, is also being operationalized by the Army. Along the LoC and LAC, where anomaly detection technologies and thermal imaging are used to detect enemy fortifications, infiltration attempts, and strategic build-ups, machine-learning (ML) algorithms are enhancing object detection.

Cyberwarfare: AI as an Electronic Défence

AI is becoming a crucial component of India’s cybersecurity strategy as hostile governments target military networks more often. The Artillery Combat Command & Control System (ACCCS) and other important military systems are reportedly now connected with the Army’s Situational Awareness Module (SAMA). Cyber threat identification and mitigation, AI-powered misinformation monitoring, combating propaganda produced by deepfakes, and real-time analysis of intercepted communications to prevent security breaches are all made possible by SAMA’s AI capabilities.

The Indian defence and security establishment’s cybersecurity specialist emphasized that cyberwarfare is now a key battleground rather than a secondary front. AI improves our capacity to identify, evaluate, and eliminate risks in real time.” The Army has implemented counter-disinformation algorithms to monitor and eliminate false information before it spreads, in response to enemies using AI to control social media narratives.

Solutions for Teething Problems

Even with the quick progress, incorporating AI into military operations is not without its difficulties. AI algorithms, for example, rely on accurate data; inaccurate identifications may result from mistakes in training datasets. AI algorithms may be manipulated by hostile parties; hence strong cybersecurity precautions are required. Protecting AI infrastructure is essential to avoiding system malfunctions or unwanted access. To solve these issues and reduce cyber risks while maintaining operational security in disputed areas, India is creating offline AI solutions without internet access.

AI in Land and Navy Systems, Weapons, and Radar

Private defence companies displayed AI applications in naval combat solutions, autonomous weapon systems, and radar optimization at Aero India 2025. These advancements indicate that AI is becoming more and more important in India’s defence system. A senior Army officer said, “Information and automation will drive the battlefield of the future as much as firepower.”

As the Army’s AI Centre of Excellence, the Military College of Telecommunication Engineering (MCTE) in Mhow is leading research on AI-enhanced threat detection, cyber resilience against AI-powered assaults, and AI’s involvement in autonomous combat decision-making. Military officials said that “human-in-the-loop” AI systems—where AI assists human decision-making but does not replace it—will continue to be the norm even if India has not yet approved completely autonomous weapon systems.

Artificial Intelligence’s Future in Indian Military Operations

Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) for border patrol and logistics, joint AI command centres integrating intelligence across the Army, Navy, and Air Force, and predictive AI models for analysing real-time and historical data to anticipate enemy tactics were all highlighted in the Indian Army’s 20–25-year roadmap, which acknowledged the long-term significance of AI in modern warfare.

Military activities are also shifting to the next generation as AI sweeps the globe across businesses and fields. India is putting itself at the forefront of technical advancement, guaranteeing that digital supremacy will become just as important to the country’s defence as traditional weapons.

Artificial information (AI) is transforming military operations in India’s defence industry by improving capabilities in a number of areas, including information collection, autonomous weaponry, surveillance, and logistics. The Indian military is able to conduct missions more quickly, safely, and effectively thanks to AI-powered technologies.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionized military operations by being incorporated into defence systems. These days, AI tools are employed in many different fields, including intelligence collection, autonomous weaponry, logistics, and surveillance.

Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs)

Unmanned Ground Vehicles are AI-driven robots made to carry out risky operations on their own. For example, the Indian Army uses a UGV called the Sapper Scout to locate mines. It is capable of long-range surveillance, minefield marking, and mine detection without subjecting personnel to the dangers of manual mine clearing. In dangerous circumstances, these vehicles can improve operating efficiency, minimize human deaths, and handle complicated terrain.

Swarm Drones

Swarm drones are a collection of AI-driven drones that work together to accomplish a shared objective, including target neutralization or reconnaissance. Every drone in the swarm has machine learning algorithms installed for target recognition, autonomous navigation, and collision avoidance. Because they provide real-time battlefield intelligence, these drones are especially helpful for surveillance, border security, and urban combat situations.

AI-Based Intercept Management Systems (IMS)

Electronic warfare (EW) intercept analysis and interpretation may be automated with AI-based Intercept Management Systems. The system generates a Common Operating Intelligence Picture by locating, categorizing, and displaying intercepts. AI facilitates quicker and more precise decision-making, which is essential for effective electronic warfare operations.

Silent Sentry (Rail-Mounted AI Robot)

The Silent Sentry is a rail-mounted robot that uses artificial intelligence to patrol and monitor perimeters. It automatically keeps an eye on perimeters, critical installations, and border barriers. The robot can detect intrusions, take pictures, and send out notifications while operating independently within certain bounds thanks to its AI-based person detection and facial recognition capabilities.

Autonomous Fast Intercept Boats (AFIB)

Autonomous Fast Intercept Boats (AFIB) with AI capabilities are employed for maritime security. These boats are capable of independent patrols, search and rescue, and high-speed vessel interception. Without human assistance, AFIBs navigate through difficult surroundings and heavy marine traffic using sensors like cameras, radars, and LIDAR.

AI-Based Predictive Maintenance Systems

AI-powered predictive maintenance systems examine data in real time to anticipate equipment faults before they happen. These technologies are crucial for lowering downtime, allocating resources optimally, and guaranteeing the dependability of vital defence assets like ships and airplanes. For instance, Pro-HM+ employs AI to forecast when aircraft systems can malfunction, enabling preventive maintenance and reducing operational delays.

Project Storm Drone

The Storm Drone is an autonomous room intervention drone system with AI capabilities that is intended for counterterrorism and urban surveillance missions. This drone is very useful for operations in urban or limited places, including building clearing, because it can navigate in GPS-denied conditions and has both lethal and non-lethal payloads.

AI-Enabled Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV)

The Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) with AI capabilities is used to assess marine infrastructure underwater. ROVs with sophisticated sensors and AI-powered vision systems may examine ships and undersea platforms, providing real-time data for maintenance and monitoring. The speed and safety of maritime activities are improved by their capacity to access hazardous and confined underwater locations.

AI-Based Target Tracking and Identification Systems

These devices play a critical role in enhancing surveillance in combat. These technologies’ AI algorithms examine real-time video feeds from a variety of surveillance sources, including cameras and drones, to quickly detect and identify dangers or adversary movements. The Line of Control (LoC) AI-Based Motion Detection and Target Identification System aids in the automated detection of questionable activity.

AI-Enabled Airborne Electro-Optic Infrared Systems

These cutting-edge devices employ AI for border and marine monitoring. They are quite successful in identifying hostile movements, boats, and planes at long distances because they use deep learning algorithms for object detection, classification, and tracking. By delivering real-time intelligence, these technologies improve aerial and coastal security.

AI-Based Surveillance Robots

For Indian defence requirements, AI-driven surveillance robots are also being created, similar to those seen on South Korea’s and Israel’s border barriers. These robots can patrol perimeters on their own, identifying and reacting to any incursions, eliminating the need for human patrols, and providing 24-hour monitoring.

AI in Logistics and Supply Chain Management

AI is essential to the simplification of military logistics. AI-driven systems assist the military in maintaining operational readiness by forecasting equipment failure, controlling supply chains, and guaranteeing the best possible resource allocation. Pro-HM+ and other AI solutions provide real-time health monitoring of vital assets like airplanes, guaranteeing their continuous operation.

AI tools are therefore increasingly essential in the defence industry, improving the Indian military’s operational capabilities. AI is transforming defence operations, making them more effective, precise, and personnel-safe. Examples of this include autonomous cars, drones, predictive maintenance, and sophisticated surveillance systems. India will modernize its armed forces and solidify its place as a major player in the world of defence technology as long as it keeps developing and investing in AI-driven technologies.

Here’s How the Indian Army is Using Artificial Intelligence in the Face of Modern Warfare Changes: From Data to Dominance

By incorporating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into its operational framework, the Indian Army is going through a major revolution that would improve its capabilities in contemporary conflict. The need for better decision-making, situational awareness, and operational efficiency in the face of changing security threats is what is driving this change.

The Tactical Command, Control, Communications, and Intelligence (TAC-C3I) system is among the major developments. In order to give commanders real-time insights for improved decision-making in dynamic combat scenarios, an AI-driven system uses machine learning to analyze enormous volumes of data from several sources, including satellites and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Furthermore, the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) created the Artillery Command and Control System (ACCS), which uses AI analytics to optimize artillery firing, improving targeting accuracy and speeding up response times in high-intensity conflicts.

AI is also transforming security operations. In order to greatly enhance threat identification capabilities along sensitive borders like the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and in Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian Army has implemented autonomous surveillance platforms that use AI for real-time picture analysis. Notably, the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) effort is developing swarm drone technology, which enables coordinated drone formations to effectively perform vast surveillance.

AI is changing military logistics outside of conflict. By anticipating maintenance requirements for aircraft components, the PRO-HM+ system ensures combat readiness and minimizes unplanned breakdowns. Maintaining operational effectiveness in a fast-paced military setting requires this anticipatory skill.

AI is essential for improving cybersecurity measures in the military as cyber threats become more complex. AI tools are used to identify and combat disinformation campaigns and cyberattacks that endanger national security. By combining information from several sources, the Situational Awareness Module for the Army (SAMA) gives commanders a thorough understanding of combat situations, which further supports strategic planning and decision-making.

While integrating AI has many benefits, there are drawbacks as well, such algorithmic bias, data security, and ethical issues. For AI systems to be effectively used in military operations, it is imperative that they are impartial and dependable. Furthermore, keeping human oversight is still essential to adding expert judgment to AI’s capabilities.

To put it briefly, the Indian Army’s incorporation of AI signifies a paradigm change in its tactics. By utilizing cutting-edge technology in a number of areas, including cybersecurity, logistics, command and control, and surveillance, the Indian military is better equipped to handle modern problems and improve its overall operational preparedness.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has drastically altered almost every industry worldwide. This is also true in contemporary conflict.

India’s armed forces realize that incorporating AI is now necessary rather than optional as its international rivals accelerate the technology’s implementation.

The Indian Army has swiftly embraced this game-changing technology in an effort to transition lean into data-driven operations and predictive warfare.

The Indian Army has been quite enthusiastic in incorporating AI, from senior brass in the army to business leaders and think tanks.

However, what is the current state of the push and where will it end up?

AI, the Army, and data-centricity

General Upendra Dwivedi, the Chief of Army Staff, discussed the use of AI for defence in an exclusive conversation with Firstpost during Aero India 2025.

Having reliable data is essential to AI. He told Firstpost, “You have to be able to get intelligence from it.

In other words, the legacy of huge data management and the capacity to make judgments about operations, operational logistics, and administration are critical to the military’s effectiveness.

However, having too little or too much data makes decision-making time-consuming. “In this regard, the introduction of AI with their LLM [Large Language Models] proves beneficial,” stated Lieutenant General Dushyant Singh (Retd), Director General of the Centre for Land and Warfare Studies (CLAWS).

Where is AI being applied in India?

The Army is heavily implementing AI applications for cyber security, autonomous systems like UAVs and UGVs, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.

AI improves signal intelligence, satellite image processing, and data analysis in ISR. AI’s decision-making, hazard detection, navigational autonomy, and adaptability skills are advantageous to autonomous systems.

According to Lt Gen Singh, threat identification, intrusion prevention, network protection, and malware detection are all made possible by AI in the crucial field of cyber security.

AI plays a big role in training and simulation as well. Customized training modules, tactical decision assistance, and dynamic scenario production all help soldiers get ready for unforeseen warfare conditions.

Gen Dwivedi stated, “Predictive analysis is the first step we are working on, and in terms of generative AI, we are engaging with BEL (Bharat Electronics Limited) and other companies,” while discussing the potential of AI in predictive analytics. We have started it in a significant manner.

Pascale Sourisse, President & CEO of Thales International, stated that “AI enables predictive threat detection, helping militaries anticipate and neutralize risks before they escalate.”

Other crucial applications include autonomous drones in military systems, supply chain management in logistics, predictive maintenance in engineering, and AI-powered intrusion detection in cyber security.

India’s defence ecosystem for artificial intelligence

According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, India has achieved institutional progress in AI in defence since announcing its national plan for AI in 2018.

The groundwork for defence-specific AI integration was laid in 2019 with the establishment of a high-level Defence AI Council and a Defence AI Project Agency.

During the Dakshin Shakti military exercise in 2021, the Indian Army had previously showcased a swarm of 75 aerial drones equipped with artificial intelligence.

AI appears to be being integrated into military systems, according to government initiatives on atmospheric visibility prediction, imaging analysis, drone-collision avoidance, and ship tracking. These projects are still characterized in their particular.

In terms of diplomacy, India still promotes transparency, security, confidence, and responsibility in AI.

The world’s largest tech companies have noticed. For example, Microsoft has invested $3 billion in Telangana data centre construction. “In India, our engineering competence centres are early adopters of Thales’ AI tools, and the teams are actively using them to enhance products,” according to Thales.

Innovation at home is also emphasized. According to Gen. Dwivedi, the Indian Army is considering a cooperative strategy in which “generative AI will play a very important role.” Therefore, together with other businesses, we ought to share the trip together,” he stated.

AI will play a significant part in long-term predictive analysis, wargaming, and strategic planning in the future.

The Army could be interested in AI-enabled Manned Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) between tanks and drones, AI-based intrusion detection, data mining tools for analysis, and AI-based aircraft identification packages, among other things, according to Lt Gen Singh.

“Integrating AI into defence ensures armed forces can respond swiftly, precisely, and efficiently to evolving threats while safeguarding national security,” as Thales’ Pascale Sourisse succinctly stated.

Data and algorithms will probably influence future battles just as much as personnel and weapons. India is putting its military in a position to address these changing security issues by working with technology partners, investing in AI-driven systems, and integrating AI into its core operations.

The Indian Army is using AI that can think and respond in milliseconds to strengthen its edge in the battlefield. The future soldier is becoming smarter, quicker, and more connected because to LLM-powered tools that condense lengthy reports into concise summaries, real-time chatbots that respond to important questions, and voice-to-text systems that translate spoken instructions into immediate action.

The operation of the Indian Army is about to undergo a significant change. It plans to integrate machine learning (ML), artificial intelligence (AI), and big data analytics into the majority of its business divisions by 2026–2027. The Army is developing a methodical strategy to use this cutting-edge technology in a more strategic and well-organized way, from drone operations and battlefield observation to combat training and information collection.

The Indian Army wants to improve its “battlefield awareness” by using AI capabilities that can digest massive amounts of data in milliseconds, according to a story in The Indian Express. These devices include AI-driven chatbots that can answer questions in real time, voice-to-text devices that convert spoken commands into printed instructions, and text summarizers that use Large Language Models (LLMs) to scan long reports and deliver a summary.

Additionally, the Army will make use of systems and face recognition technology that can identify odd patterns that could indicate a threat. Above that, it is configured to concurrently gather and analyze data coming in from airplanes, satellites, drones, and ground-based sensors. Commanders will be able to make quicker and more accurate judgments while on a mission by compiling all of this data in real time.

Learnings of Operation Sindoor

After Operation Sindoor, a cross-border strike carried out in May 2025, the pressure for this technological shift became more vigorous. Both sides launched many drone operations throughout the operation to target terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (Pok). It conveyed the idea that the ability to use technology—rather than just weapons—to manoeuvre swiftly and deftly in hazardous situations will determine the future of combat.

Task force to oversee AI integration

The Army is forming a special task force (STF) with AI specialists to run under the Directorate General of Information Systems (DGIS) in order to guarantee seamless operations. The team, which is made up of officials from several Army branches, is responsible for applying these technologies everywhere. Training Army troops, improving technological capabilities, allowing data sharing and integration, and supporting regular AI system maintenance are some of their responsibilities.

Additionally, this task force helps the Army use AI for intelligence surveillance, supply chain management, combat training simulations, and even open-source material monitoring, including social media and news websites. AI tools are also used for operations planning, threat identification, opponent vulnerability mapping, and targeting assistance. AI systems help with navigating in places where GPS is unusable or jammed. Additionally, predictive maintenance equipment is used to guarantee that Army equipment functions without unplanned malfunctions.

The General Staff Qualitative Requirements (GSQRs) have been updated to guarantee that AI will be a part of the Army’s routine tasks. When buying any new hardware, these criteria are used. The addition of AI capabilities will be part of these standards. Wherever possible, the Army plans to add AI capabilities to some of its older gear and systems.

Developing for the Future

Additionally, the DGIS has set up an AI lab where new AI models are developed and evaluated. In addition to being used by the Army, they are also connected with similar AI systems created by the Navy and Air Force, enabling cooperation across the three services.

In other words, the AI project of the Indian Army is no longer just an idea. With clear goals, specific deadlines, and a sincere desire to use technology for faster and more intelligent military operations, it has become a reality.

November 2025 saw the release of India’s first fully mobile, AI-enabled anti-drone patrol vehicle.

This innovative, totally mobile, AI-enabled counter-drone device is designed to identify, follow, and eliminate enemy drones while they are in motion.

The “Indrajaal Ranger,” the country’s first Anti-Drone Patrol Vehicle (ADPV), was unveiled today by Indrajaal Drone Defence, a major improvement to India’s border defence strategy.

By detecting, tracking, and neutralizing hostile drones while they are actively in motion, this innovative, completely mobile, AI-enabled counter-drone technology addresses a crucial national security weakness.

The “Ranger” is a specially developed assault vehicle that aims to disrupt conventional, fixed anti-drone countermeasures. Its primary function is to provide real-time patrolling, immediate interception, and on-the-go drone detection—a need brought on by the growing complexity of cross-border threats.

Recent national security events that demonstrated drones as a main conduit for illicit operations increased the company’s urgency in creating the ADPV.

The need for a quick, mobile response was made evident by incidents involving ISI-linked weapon smuggling deep into Indian territory and the regular neutralization of hundreds of Pakistani drones this year, which are the primary means of transportation for India’s enormous Rs 3-lakh-crore drug-trafficking network.

Indrajaal CEO and Founder, Kiran Raju, emphasised the mission behind the innovation, pointing out that “each drone neutralised translates to lives protected and India’s internal security strengthened. This is our primary mission at Indrajaal-to defend freedom.”

In vulnerable locations such as border routes, waterways, agricultural belts, vital infrastructure, and densely populated areas, the ADPV promises to provide seamless, dynamic coverage. Its capacity to rapidly intercept and neutralize threats and its incorporated AI for autonomous threat assessment are two of its primary strengths.

Guest of Honor Lieutenant General Devendra Pratap Pandey (Retd), PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, VSM, commended the invention during his remarks at the launch event.

“India’s youth deserve a safer nation, free from the shadow of international crime networks,” Lt. Gen. Pandey declared. According to him, technologies such as the Anti-Drone Patrol Vehicle are more than simply machines; they are barriers that safeguard our future, our farms, and our children. The nation and the courageous warriors defending our borders will be sincerely appreciative of this revolutionary contribution with the debut of the new Ranger.

It is anticipated that the Indrajaal Ranger will provide a revolutionary layer of national security. It greatly undermines the recruiting pipelines of smuggling and extremist networks by shutting off financial and logistical supply routes for illegal activities, giving vulnerable border populations a feeling of security and dignity.

The first autonomous counter-UAS and air defence technology business in India is called Indrajaal. Real-time decision-making and multi-sensor intelligence are combined into a single C5ISRT architecture by its own autonomous engine, SkyOS.

This enables the business to build dynamic “security domes” on an unparalleled scale that safeguard intricate settings such as airports, refineries, and military formations. This is in action already.

After obtaining ARDTC certification for the deployment of Counter-UAS systems, Indrajaal has already seen operational success and is in a unique position for rollouts at the national level.

Intelligent War Rooms, AI-Powered Systems, and the Drone Army: How the Army intends to be combat-ready by 2026–2027

To stay ahead of or on par with the adversaries, the Indian Armed Forces have accelerated its preparations for drone fleets and real-time battlefield monitoring. Additionally, the army intends to use AI to interpret data from ground-based sensors, planes, satellites, and drones.

General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff, was pretty serious when he stated that India has to invest in and build domestic capabilities in order to guarantee its security. The Armed Forces have emphasized the use of drones and counter-drone systems in combat since Operation Sindoor, in which India was subjected to several drone assaults from Pakistan. Additionally, CDS emphasized that previous wars across the world have shown how drones may “shift tactical balance disproportionately” and stated that India has a strategic need to become self-sufficient in UAVs and Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS). Significantly, Lt Gen. Rahul R. Singh, Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Capability Development and Sustenance), has said that China gave Pakistan real-time military intelligence during Operation Sindoor.

In order to remain ahead of or on par with its adversaries, the Indian Armed Forces have accelerated their preparations for drone fleets and real-time combat observation. Drone swarms, real-time war data input, training soldiers in combat simulations, information warfare, and the use of AI, ML, and big data analytics to make data-driven decisions are all reportedly already on the Indian Army’s roadmap. These systems will be operational by 2026–2027.

In order to make decisions more quickly and accurately, the army is apparently going to use artificial intelligence to handle inputs from drones, satellites, planes, and ground-based sensors, merging this data in real time.

An Indian Express report claims that AI will be used in a wide range of operations, such as decision support systems that can produce counterintelligence, enhance surveillance, simplify supply chain management and logistics, analyze social media content and Open Source Intelligence (OSINT), map enemy capabilities, and run wargaming simulations. This will assist the army in precisely locating critical vectors and equipment in addition to mobilizing soldiers and weaponry in line with real-time data.

According to reports, the army has established an AI lab to aid in the creation of AI tools and apps for the three services.

In partnership with the industry, the army is also integrating this technology into their own culture. As CDS Chauhan has already pointed out, during military operations, locally created counter-UAS systems that are tailored to India’s needs and geography are essential.

“These technologies are essential for both the offensive and defensive tasks, but we cannot rely just on them. Our reliance on foreign technology reduces our readiness, hinders our capacity to increase output, and leaves us without essential replacement parts for daily needs and availability. Everyone is aware of foreign capabilities, and enemies may forecast strategies based on these systems’ capabilities, according to CDS Chauhan.

By 2025, India will have advanced combat vehicles, drones, and artificial intelligence ready for future conflicts

In preparation for the future of warfare, which is anticipated to be dominated by autonomous and AI-enabled technologies, India is quickly modernizing its military capabilities with a significant emphasis on drones, artificial intelligence (AI), and sophisticated combat vehicles. This all-encompassing change includes selective imports, homegrown innovation, and an emphasis on independence through initiatives like “Make in India.”

When it comes to creating different types of drones, the Indian defence industry has made great strides. Indigenous innovations, like the Rudrastra Hybrid VTOL UAV, which can take off and land vertically and has a 170-kilometer range, give the army alternatives for quick engagement and tactical reconnaissance that are particularly useful in difficult terrain.

MBC2 swarm drones with AI capabilities are made to help troops by automatically locating and eliminating threats. Additionally, the HAL CATS (Combat Air Teaming System) project is a prime example of future integration, in which manned fighter planes work in tandem with stealth UCAVs and unmanned swarming UAVs for intricate air dominance and deep-strike operations. Additionally, India has added proven imports to its drone arsenal, such as the American MQ-9B and Israeli Heron and Harop drones, greatly improving its observation and striking capabilities.

Regarding AI, both offensive and defensive systems in India are heavily integrating AI. Drones, combat vehicles, and robotic platforms are among the AI-powered autonomous technologies that will be used in both combat and non-combat tasks, according to the Indian Army’s modernization strategy for 2025–2027.

Advanced defensive grids like Indrajaal, which uses a combination of spoofers, jammers, and real-time information spanning thousands of square kilometres to safeguard vital naval stations, are also powered by AI. Systems created by Bharat Electronics and DRDO have advanced counter-drone tactics. These systems include multi-layered layers of electronic warfare, radar, and directed energy weapons that may neutralize drone swarms via jamming or hard-kill laser targeting.

The acquisition and induction of more than 1,500 combat vehicles, such as mechanized infantry platforms, cutting-edge locally produced Prachand light combat helicopters, and armoured vehicles intended to increase battlefield mobility, survivability, and firepower, is a crucial component of the modernization. These vehicles are equipped with smart armour, exoskeletons, augmented reality for soldiers, AI-enhanced command and control systems, and real-time health monitoring systems to improve military endurance and combat efficiency.

The CATS Warrior drone, created by TATA Elxsi and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in under 14 weeks, is a significant advancement in India’s aerospace defence technology. It functions as a “loyal wingman” to accompany human fighter planes on strike and surveillance missions.

With its capacity for electronic warfare, autonomous target engagement, and real-time data exchange with manned platforms, this AI-driven drone solidifies India’s position in the worldwide competition for next-generation military aviation technology.

Precision-guided weapons, cyber and electronic warfare capabilities, hypersonics, and space-based early warning systems are all given top priority in India’s defence modernization policy, indicating a transition from traditional warfare to network-centric, AI-driven combat operations.

The necessity to preserve strategic advantage and deterrent capabilities in a region characterized by changing threats is what motivates this expansive and ambitious strategy. In order to foster innovation centres and expedite defence technology research and acquisition, the roadmap places a strong emphasis on collaboration between the government, military, and private sector.

AI-enabled combat drones, superior counter-drone systems, and a sizable fleet of cutting-edge, contemporary combat vehicles are the main components of India’s future-ready military force. This endeavour, which aims to preserve operational dominance and strategic autonomy in the face of an increasingly complex security environment, is in line with the worldwide transition towards unmanned and AI-driven combat.

Indian Army simulates future warfare using AI and drones near China border in Himalayas

AI technology was tried in East Sikkim by the Indian Army. Battlefield awareness was improved with the DIVYA DRISHTI exercise. Systems enhanced the ability to identify and address threats. Operation Sindoor used missiles and loitering drones to strike terrorist targets in Pakistan and PoK. Pakistan’s drone assaults were neutralized by India. These missions demonstrate India’s emphasis on self-sufficiency and contemporary warfare.

During Exercise DIVYA DRISHTI in East Sikkim in July 2025, the Indian Army tested drones, high-speed data systems, and artificial intelligence (AI)-based sensors in a significant step towards contemporary warfare. The Indian Army’s official statement stated that the exercise’s objectives were to improve battlefield awareness, surveillance, and quick reaction times in high-altitude regions near the China border.

In the Himalayas, modern technology is tested

Drones, ground-based systems, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were all used by Trishakti Corps troops to carry out the exercise. These systems assisted in simulating actual combat situations when prompt cooperation and decision-making are essential.

The systems put to the test during the exercise are intended to enhance the Army’s capacity to recognize, evaluate, and react to threats in real time. To guarantee smooth data exchange between field units and command centres, AI-enabled sensors linked to secure communication systems were utilized.

AI enhances command decisions

The effective integration of these devices, which created a distinct “sensor-to-shooter” relationship, was one of the exercise’s main results, according to the Indian Army. This implies that when a sensor detects a threat, the information is immediately transmitted to decision-makers, allowing for a prompt reaction.

On behalf of Army Headquarters, Lieutenant General Rakesh Kapoor, who was the Deputy Chief of Army Staff, evaluated the exercise.

Focus on Upcoming Technologies 

Exercise DIVYA DRISHTI has been a huge success. Modern technology was put to the test under actual field situations. Lt Gen Zubin A Minwalla, General Officer Commanding, Trishakti Corps, stated, “The lessons will help develop future technologies, doctrines, and tactics across the Indian Army, making us ready for any adversary in any terrain.”

Under the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India) concept, the Army views this exercise as a component of a larger drive to modernize its troops. The technologies under test are also in line with the Army’s “Decade of Transformation” strategy, which aims to improve the force’s agility and technological prowess in preparation for upcoming challenges.

Drone-enabled precise attacks kick off Operation Sindoor

Operation Sindoor, initiated by India’s Armed Forces in May 2025, targeted nine terrorist-affiliated sites in Pakistan and PoK. Alongside missile weaponry, loitering drones—also referred to as suicide or kamikaze drones—were used in the mission for observation and attacks. Together with Israeli and Indian companies, SkyStriker drones were utilized to linger above target regions and deliver precise strikes on terrorist infrastructure with little collateral damage.

Reducing the impact of drone warfare and potential risks

Pakistan attacked Indian military facilities with more than 600 drones between May 7 and May 10, 2025. Most were neutralized by India’s integrated air defence systems, Akash missile batteries, Akashteer control systems, legacy anti-aircraft guns, radar nets, and C-UAS tools, averting harm to military or civilian facilities.

According to General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defense Staff, Pakistan utilized lingering bombs and unarmed drones on May 10, 2025, but “none of them could actually inflict any damage” on India’s infrastructure.

Strategic impact and future readiness

An important change in India’s strategy for drone warfare was brought forth by Operation Sindoor. Indian troops used precision missiles like SCALP and HAMMER, loitering bombs, high-speed decoy drones, and spy drones to provide quick and well-coordinated impacts. Target engagement and acquisition were made possible by indigenous systems like Nagastra 1, SkyStriker, and Harop. These were integrated by air defence units with the IACCS (Integrated Air Command and Control System) to provide operational command across services in real time.

2025: Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Indian Defense

Indian Defence Organizations Use AI to Revolutionize Modern Combat

• The nation’s military capabilities are being transformed by the deployment of AI by Indian defence 

   industries. These listed businesses, which range from PSUs like BEL and HAL to private innovators like 

   Zen Technologies and Paras Defence, are promoting independence and guaranteeing India’s 

   readiness for future conflicts

• AI is being incorporated into C2ISR (command, control, communication, computing, intelligence, 

   surveillance, and reconnaissance) operations. For instance, border security has used AI-driven

   monitoring, with over 140 smart surveillance devices along India’s border

• In addition to improving national security, the incorporation of AI creates substantial investment 

   prospects

Global defence is being quickly redefined by artificial intelligence (AI), and India is becoming a major participant in the race for military technology. Indian defence businesses, both state-owned and commercial, are integrating AI into surveillance, combat systems, and aerospace platforms under the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision and the iDEX (Innovation for Defence Excellence) framework.

AI is not just increasing efficiency but also changing how India gets ready for war in the future, from allowing autonomous drone swarms to predictive maintenance of fighter planes.

With its AI Incubation Centre, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and the Indian Army are at the forefront of state-run AI innovation.

BEL has introduced innovative solutions including AI-enabled Voice Analysis Software (AIVAS) for monitoring and transcription of speech, Sandarbh.AI for intelligent document management in the Navy, and predictive maintenance solutions for fire control systems.

The Combat Air Teaming System (CATS), an AI-based Snag Disposition System for automated fault detection, and AI-driven maintenance procedures for aircraft part tracking are just a few examples of how Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has been integrating AI into aerospace platforms.

The use of AI by private companies is similarly aggressive. Data Patterns enhances object detection and surveillance for defence and space applications by integrating AI into radar and avionics systems. Zen Technologies has become a leader in AI-powered counter-drone systems, using machine learning to identify, monitor, and eliminate UAV threats while also integrating AI into combat simulation systems for accurate training.

In addition to creating PARAS.AI to analyze drone data streams and develop AI-powered radar and electronic warfare systems, Paras Defence has grown through its investment in Logic Fruit Technologies. MTAR Technologies, which is well-known for producing high-precision defence components, is using AI in quality control and manufacturing to produce aerospace products more quickly and without flaws.

New businesses are accelerating this AI-driven trend. Along with testing AI-powered smart mines and drone payloads, Solar Industries has launched its Bhargavastra AI-enabled counter-UAV system. Avantel Limited is creating AI-based improvements for satellite communications and next-generation radios, while DCX Systems is concentrating on AI in electronic warfare and surveillance.

At the centre of this AI revolution is still the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). DRDO has created around 75 AI technologies through its Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR), including cyber defence, autonomous robots, and AI-based surveillance systems.

In addition, the Indian Army’s specialized AI Incubation Centre at BEL is fostering homegrown AI applications that directly address operational needs.

The financing and policy landscape is strongly supporting this change. Supported by the ₹7.85 lakh crore defence budget for FY 2026–2027, the Indian government has set aside ₹100 crore a year for AI in military programs.

AI-driven solutions are moving from labs to deployment-ready platforms as more than 1,000 defence-tech start-ups enter the market, establishing India as a worldwide centre for innovation.

India is creating an AI-powered defence ecosystem that improves national security and creates new prospects for international defence exports by fusing the skills of established PSUs like BEL and HAL with nimble private innovators like Zen Technologies, Paras Defence, and Data Patterns. Adoption of AI is speeding self-reliance in addition to providing operational dominance, which is a significant change in how India gets ready for war in the twenty-first century.

AI Integration Leading Major Defence PSUs

Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)

In partnership with the Indian Army, BEL is leading the adoption of AI through the creation of an AI Incubation Centre. Some of its innovations are:

Voice Analysis Software (AIVAS) with AI capabilities for sophisticated voice transcription and monitoring

Sandarbh.AI is an Indian Navy document management system

AI-driven fire control system predictive maintenance

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)

AI has been incorporated by HAL into aircraft systems:

Drones can obey voice orders from fighter planes thanks to the Combat Air Teaming System (CATS), which uses artificial intelligence

AI-driven Snag Disposition System for automatic aircraft fault identification

AI-enhanced tools for aviation part maintenance and carbon identification

Defence AI’s Private Sector Leaders

Data Patterns (India) Limited

This Chennai-based company creates object identification tools for surveillance and collaborates with DRDO and ISRO on cutting-edge AI-enabled systems. It also incorporates AI into radar and avionics.

Zen Technologies Limited

Zen is a leader in AI-powered anti-drone systems that use machine learning to neutralize and detect threats. AI is also used by its combat simulation systems to provide realistic battlefield training.

Paras Defence and Space Technologies

Logic Fruit Technologies is an investment made by Paras to improve embedded AI technologies. It is developing AI-powered radar and electronic warfare devices and has introduced PARAS.AI for drone data processing.

MTAR Technologies

MTAR, which is well-known for its precision engineering, is working with international military companies to incorporate AI into production procedures and AI-driven quality control.

Emerging AI Defence Players

Avantel Limited: Avantel Limited is creating software-defined radios and AI-enhanced satellite communications.

DCX Systems: DCX Systems focuses on AI-powered electronic warfare and surveillance systems.

Solar Industries: It is the company behind drones, AI-powered smart mines, and the Bhargavastra Counter-UAV system.

DRDO Initiatives and the Government

Through its Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR), the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has created more than 75 AI-based defence systems, including cybersecurity, surveillance, and autonomous platforms. Additionally, domestic innovation in AI-driven systems is supported by the Indian Army’s AI Incubation Centre with BEL.

Prospects for the Market

Supported by a ₹7.85 lakh crore defence budget for 2026–2027, India has set aside Rs 100 crore a year for AI in military programs. With more than 1,000 AI defence-tech businesses, the industry is expected to develop at an exponential rate.

The Army’s AI strategy for operations by 2026–2027: drone swarming to smarter war rooms

In light of the lessons learned from Operation Sindoor, the Army’s cross-border operation in May 2025 that targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, the Army is now accelerating the deployment of AI, despite having previously considered it.

The Indian Army has discovered that it has created a comprehensive roadmap outlining the main areas in which it intends to implement Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Big Data Analytics by 2026–2027, from coordinated drone missions (or drone swarming) and real-time battlefield monitoring to combat simulations for troop training, information warfare, and data-backed decision-making.

Improving battlefield awareness using AI systems that can swiftly digest massive amounts of data is reportedly one of the top goals right now. These include AI-powered chatbots, voice-to-text systems, text summarisers based on Large Language Models (LLMs) to scan and compress lengthy reports, facial recognition software, and tools that may identify odd patterns or dangers. In order to facilitate quicker, better decision-making, AI will also be utilised to assess feeds from drones, satellites, aeroplanes, and ground sensors and combine this information in real time.

As I conclude, I would like to mention that no drone, Indian or foreign, has 100% accuracy in combat. “Miss” rates depend on the drone, the AI, weather, GPS jamming, enemy countermeasures, and how the mission is defined.

What we know about recent experiments of AI drones manufactured in India and their usage in battle is listed below:

1. High accuracy is demonstrated by test trials: DRDO just finished the last trials of the ULPGM-V3, an Indian-designed precision guided missile fired by UAV. tested in air-to-ground anti-tank and air-to-air anti-drone/helicopter modes close to Kurnool. According to DRDO, the system is “ready for immediate serial production” and the missile struck its intended targets. The tests verified a “fully mature domestic supply chain.”

Other Indian systems make similar claims about their accuracy:

• Nagastra-1R hovering ammunition: GPS-enabled precision attacks with a range of 30 km and an

   accuracy of ~ 2 meters

• FWD-LM01 loitering munition: AI-enabled, 100 km range, autonomous targeting, and navigation

• BSS Alliance AI gun drone: In tests, it was able to identify targets at 300 meters and engage them 

   precisely up to 600 meters, with an effective range of 1000 meters.

Use in combat—Operation Sindoor 2025: During Operation Sindoor 2025, combat use Indian troops deployed AI-enabled drones from startups and DRDO systems for attacks, ISR, and target acquisition in Sindoor. According to reports, in order to reduce collateral damage, AI loitering bombs employed image recognition trained on thousands of hours of video to differentiate between military and civilian targets.

India’s D-4 anti-drone grid also intercepted “over 80% of hostile drones” during the conflict. That 80% figure tells us ~ 20% got through – misses happen on both attack and defence sides.

Following its performance in Sindoor, DRDO head Dr. Samir V. Kamat declared that the Akashteer air defence system “sees, decides, and strikes faster than anything the world has fielded.” However, zero misses is not a claim made by even the best systems.

1. The reasons any drone can

• GPS-denied/jamming environments: The Indian Army has experimented with AI drones that can carry weapons without the need for satellite navigation. Drones can “recognise terrain patterns…allowing them to navigate and return home autonomously, even if GPS is jammed + bad weather still reduces accuracy” thanks to vision-based AI.

• Early-stage technology: A few Indian AI interceptors, such as Falcon, FWD YAMA, and VajR, are still “developmental or early-testing phrase and not yet in mass production.” Miss rate increases with new technology.

• Human factor: Depending on the system, ultimate targeting still requires “human-in-the-loop” or “human-on-the-loop” control, but AI helps. There are operator errors.

2. The distinction between “miss” and “no miss”

The precise battle miss rate is secret and not released by any nation. The things that are there are as follows:

• Trials: Tanks, drones, and helicopters are successfully struck in DRDO and industrial demonstrations.

• Combat: “Most” Pakistani drone intrusions were eliminated by the D-4 system, although “most” ≠  

   “all”

• AI limitations: In peer-reviewed drone detection challenges, even sophisticated models achieved 

   85–97% real-world accuracy. The error margin is thus 3–15%.

In summary, Indian-made AI drones, such as the ULPGM-V3, Nagastra-1R, and Kaal Bhairav, are precision-built and have targets in both testing and battle. However, they may and do miss due to jamming, decoys, weather, or AI misclassification, much as US, Israeli, Turkish, or Chinese drones. As AI + sensor fusion advances, there is a tendency toward fewer misses.

India’s first entirely domestic, AI-powered Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) autonomous combat aircraft is the Kaal Bhairav, also known as the E2A2. It was created by Bengaluru-based Flying Wedge Defence and Aerospace (FWDA) and is intended for precise attacks, surveillance, and intelligence collection.

Important Details & Performance

• Endurance: Able to fly nonstop for up to 30 hours.

• Range: Enables deep strategic operations with a maximum range of 3000 km.

• Payload Capacity: 91 kg. EO/IR sensors, laser-guided rockets, and light weapons are all supported by the payload compartment.

• Guidance: In addition to AI-driven onboard target analysis, it has anti-jamming inertial navigation and geolocation technologies.

Cost-Effectiveness

• Cost: It is thought to be around 10% less expensive than American systems such as the MQ-9 

   Reaper.

• Survivability: Built to function as an independent fleet. According to FWDA, a whole fleet of Kaal 

   Bhairavs may be funded for the 1,000-crore cost of losing a single Reaper-class drone, averting 

   single-unit mission failures.

Strategic Benefit and AI Capabilities

• Swarm Warfare: This tactic makes it simpler to overwhelm opposing air defences by enabling 

   many drones to communicate and carry out coordinated strikes.

• Complete Autonomy: The Kaal Bhairav, which was constructed using more than 80% domestic 

   technology, reduces the possibility of foreign kill switches and guarantees that all important 

   operational data during a battle stays within Indian networks.

• Market Traction: The drone has already attracted attention from around the world, including a $25

   million confirmed export order from a South Asian government and a $30 million transaction.

Bengaluru-based Flying Wedge Defence and Aerospace (FWDA) created the man-portable, AI-enabled loitering munition (also known as a kamikaze drone) known as the FWD-LM01. It is capable of autonomously navigating, identifying, and destroying targets without continual human assistance since it is designed for asymmetric warfare and precise attacks.

Crucial Details

• Manufacturer: Flying Wedge Defence and Aerospace (FWDA)

• Maximum Take-off Weight (MTOW): 6 kg

• Payload: advanced Electro-Optical Infrared (EOIR) sensors in addition to a 2-kilogram explosive warhead

• Range: Up to 100 km

• Endurance: Up to 1.5 hours in the air

• Operating Altitude: Capable of reaching a height of 17,000 feet

• Wingspan: 2 meters

• Deployment: Man-portable, requiring less than five minutes to assemble without the need for tools

Fundamental Capabilities

• Autonomous Targeting: The FWD-LM01 can autonomously locate, track, and lock onto targets 

   thanks to its built-in AI. It acts as a “hunter-killer,” lingering until it locates its intended victim 

   before swiftly attacking it.

• Real-Time Intelligence: Before launching an attack, operators may watch battlefields, broadcast 

   visual intelligence, and confirm targets thanks to the EOIR payload it carries.

• High Altitude Performance: It offers strategic benefits in border or mountainous settings due to its 

   successful flight testing at high altitudes.

Strategic Importance

The FWD-LM01, which was unveiled at the Paris Air Show, symbolises India’s drive for sophisticated defence manufacturing self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat). It is marketed as a tactical drone that is ready for export and is intended to change the nature of contemporary combat by lowering the danger to human life, enhancing precise attack capabilities, and decreasing the need for larger, more costly military equipment.

Developed by Nagpur-based Solar Industries for the Indian Army, the Nagastra-1 is the country’s first man-portable “suicide drone” or lingering munition. It is made to carry out precise attacks while hovering over target locations.

Important attributes of the Nagastra-1 consist of:

• Kamikaze Mode: This mode neutralises threats up to two meters away by using a 1 kg high-

   explosive fragmenting warhead.

• Reusability: In the event that a mission is called off, the drone may be safely returned thanks to an 

  integrated parachute recovery system.

• Silent Operation: At elevations higher than 200 meters, its electric propulsion mechanism renders it 

   nearly imperceptible.

• Range & Endurance: Weighing 9 kg, it has a man-in-the-loop range of 15 km or 30 km in autonomous 

   mode, and it can last up to 60 minutes.