From Data to Dominance: How the Indian Army is Harnessing AI for Modern Warfare

Artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized nearly every industry worldwide, and modern warfare is no exception.

As global adversaries rapidly adopt AI, India’s armed forces acknowledge that its integration is no longer a choice but a necessity.

The Indian Army is actively integrating AI in defence. AI-generated image via DALL-E

To embrace data-driven operations and predictive warfare, the Indian Army has swiftly adopted this transformative technology.

From senior military leaders to industry experts and think tanks, there is strong enthusiasm for AI’s integration into the Indian Army.

But how is this initiative progressing, and what lies ahead?

AI, Army, and the focus on data

In an exclusive conversation with Firstpost during Aero India 2025, Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi discussed the role of AI in defense.

“A crucial aspect of AI is having credible data. You must be able to extract intelligence from it,” he told Firstpost.

In other words, the effectiveness of the armed forces relies on a strong foundation in large-scale data management and the capability to make informed decisions regarding operations, operational logistics, and administration.

However, decision-making takes time due to either insufficient data or an overwhelming amount of data. “Introduction of AI with their LLM [Large Language Models] prove beneficial in this regard,” Lieutenant General Dushyant Singh (Retd), Director General of the Centre for Land and Warfare Studies (CLAWS), said.

In which areas is AI being utilized in India?

The Army is rapidly integrating AI into various domains, including intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations, autonomous systems like UAVs and UGVs, and cyber security.

In ISR, AI enhances data analysis, satellite imagery processing, and signal intelligence. Autonomous systems leverage AI for advanced decision-making, hazard detection, autonomous navigation, and adaptability.

Cyber security, a vital area, employs AI for threat detection, intrusion prevention, network security, and malware identification, as highlighted by Lt Gen Singh.

Additionally, AI plays a crucial role in simulation and training, enabling dynamic scenario generation, tactical decision support, and personalized training modules to better equip soldiers for unpredictable battlefield conditions.

Gen Dwivedi had spoken about AI’s potential in predictive analytics, stating that “Predictive analysis is the first step we are working on, and in terms of generative AI, we are engaging with BEL and other companies. We have begun that in a big way.”

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

Other key applications include predictive maintenance in engineering, supply chain management in logistics, autonomous drones in combat systems, and AI-driven intrusion detection in cybersecurity.

India's Evolving AI Ecosystem in Defence

Since launching its national AI strategy in 2018, India has made significant institutional strides in integrating AI into its defense sector, as noted by the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

The establishment of a high-level Defence AI Council and the Defence AI Project Agency in 2019 laid the groundwork for AI adoption in military operations.

By 2021, the Indian Army showcased an AI-powered swarm of 75 aerial drones during the Dakshin Shakti military exercise.

Government initiatives focusing on atmospheric visibility prediction, imagery analysis, drone-collision avoidance, and ship tracking indicate the widespread incorporation of AI into military systems, though the details remain classified.

On the diplomatic front, India continues to advocate for AI principles centered on openness, safety, trust, and accountability.

Global tech giants have taken notice. For example, Microsoft has pledged $3 billion to establish data centers in Telangana. Thales says that “In India, our engineering competence centres are early adopters of Thales’ AI tools, and the teams are actively using them to enhance products.”

The emphasis is also on domestic innovation. Gen Dwivedi highlighted the Indian Army's collaborative approach, stating, “…generative AI will play a very important role. So, working with other companies, we should be part of the journey together,” he said.

Forward Focus

In the future, AI will play a vital role in strategic planning, wargaming, and long-term predictive analysis.

Lt Gen Singh indicated that the Army may explore AI-driven Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) for tanks and drones, AI-powered intrusion detection, data mining tools for analysis, and an AI-based aircraft recognition system, among other advancements.

Briefly Explained

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

Future conflicts will be influenced just as much by data and algorithms as by manpower and firepower. By partnering with technology firms, investing in AI-driven systems, and integrating AI into its core operations, India is strengthening its military to address these evolving security threats.

(This Article was originally published by First Post)