Context

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping military systems globally.

Amidst debates over its ethical implications, India is embracing AI to modernize its armed forces and strengthen its defence systems.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Military Operations

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping various sectors and the military is no exception.

As nations strive to maintain technological leadership, AI has become a cornerstone of innovation and investment.

Role of Artificial Intelligence in various Military Branches

Army

• Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) : AI-powered vehicles handle reconnaissance, supply transport and combat with limited human input.
• Equipment Monitoring: Machine learning predicts maintenance needs by analyzing sensor data, reducing downtime and enhancing readiness.
• Soldier Support Systems: AI improves training and performance by analyzing soldiers' physical and mental conditions.

Navy

• Autonomous Vessels: AI enables ships and submarines to conduct surveillance, gather intelligence, and undertake combat missions.
• Anti-Submarine Detection: AI algorithms process sonar signals to locate and track enemy submarines with precision.
• Fleet Logistics Management: AI improves fleet efficiency by forecasting maintenance and optimizing supply chains.

Air Force

• AI-Controlled Drones: UAVs equipped with AI perform tasks like reconnaissance, target engagement, and swarm operations.
• Pilot Assistance: AI copilots support human pilots during complex missions or emergencies.
• Airspace Management: AI aids in managing crowded airspaces for military and civilian aircraft.

Space Force

• Satellite Coordination: AI optimizes satellite paths, collision avoidance, and constellation management.
• Space Object Tracking: Machine learning improves the detection and classification of objects in orbit.
• Autonomous Space Missions: AI-driven spacecraft carry out maintenance, refueling, or potential combat roles in space.

Cyber Command

• Cybersecurity: AI detects and mitigates cyber threats in real-time, safeguarding sensitive networks.
• Offensive Cyber Tools: AI assists in identifying weaknesses in enemy systems and automating attack strategies.
• Psychological Operations: AI generates content for influence campaigns and strategic communication.

AI-Driven Weapon Systems

Autonomous Weaponry

These systems often referred to as "killer robots" can identify and engage targets independently.

Missile Interception Technology

AI enhances the speed and accuracy of detecting and neutralizing missile threats.

Electronic Warfare Tools

AI improves the ability to jam, spoof and counteract electronic signals effectively.

Maintenance Optimization Systems

By analyzing equipment data, AI minimizes costs and ensures operational readiness.

Advantages of Artificial Intelligence in Military

Advantage	Description
Enhanced decision-making	Processes large data quickly, offering precise recommendations.
Improved situational awareness	Provides accurate and comprehensive battlefield insights using advanced sensors.
Reduced human risk	Executes high-risk tasks, safeguarding soldiers.
Increased efficiency	Streamlines logistics and resource management, lowering costs.
Faster reaction times	Detects and counters threats faster than humans.
24/7 operation	Ensures continuous, fatigue-free functionality.

Challenges of using Artificial Intelligence in Military

Disadvantage/Challenge	Description
Ethical concerns	Autonomous weapons challenge moral norms, questioning human roles in warfare.
Reliability issues	AI may act unpredictably in complex real-world scenarios, causing risks.
Vulnerability to hacking	Systems can be hacked or spoofed, turning weapons against operators.
Data dependence	High-quality data is crucial, but may be scarce in combat scenarios.
Lack of human judgment	Struggles with empathy, cultural understanding, and nuanced decisions.
Escalation risks	AI’s speed may accelerate conflicts, risking large-scale wars.
Proliferation concerns	Risk of misuse by rogue states or non-state actors.
Legal ambiguity	Raises questions about accountability and international law compliance.

India's AI Push: Key Developments

Defence Budget Allocations

In the 2024 Defence Budget, ₹6.21 lakh crore was allocated to modernize military technology, emphasizing AI systems.

Key Innovations

Indrajaal Autonomous Drone Security System: Indrajaal is an Indian autonomous Wide Area Anti-Drone/Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) developed by Grene Robotics that utilizes AI technology to protect against drone threats in a wide area, providing a 360-degree coverage spanning up to 4,000 square kilometers.

Global Partnerships: Microsoft's $3 billion investment in data centres in Telangana is a big step toward building AI infrastructure of India.

Strategic Importance of AI in India's Defence

Predictive Analytics

AI enhances decision-making through predictive analytics, enabling timely and accurate threat assessments.

Autonomous Systems

Autonomous drones, surveillance tools and decision-making systems shows the critical role of AI in defence modernization.

Challenges Hindering AI Integration

Lack of Digitized Data

AI systems require robust datasets for training, which remain scarce in India.

Resource Constraints

Government has allocated funds for AI systems. However more resources are required to replace outdated military hardware India's military system.

Policy Fragmentation

India’s National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence and the Responsible AI for All framework highlights the importance of Artificial Intelligence in our country. However, these policies lack military-specific mechanisms for implementation.

Ethical Concerns

The use of AI in military operations brings ethical issues especially regarding autonomous weapons. Critics warn that AI-powered systems could erode human control leading to unintended consequences/breaches of international humanitarian law. Strong regulations and ethical frameworks are essential to ensure responsible use of AI thereby protecting human values and rights.

Institutional Frameworks for AI in Defence

Defence Artificial Intelligence Council (DAIC)

DAIC focuses on advancing AI technologies in the military system of India.

Defence AI Project Agency (DAIPA)

DAIPA oversees the implementation of AI-based initiatives. Despite these measures public updates on their progress have been minimal.

Global Context: Learning from Leaders

Israel and China

Countries like Israel and China have rapidly advanced military AI. This emphasizes the need for focused strategy and accelerated deployment.

Challenges Specific to India

Siloed Armed Forces

India’s Army, Navy and Air Force operate as separate entities, complicating the integration of AI systems for joint operations.

Dependency on Public Sector Units (PSUs)

Historically, reliance on PSUs has limited innovation in defence technology. Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), as seen in the space sector, could offer a viable solution.

Cautionary Approach

AI’s potential is acknowledged but India’s leadership often draws parallels between AI and nuclear weapons. This reflects the wariness about its deployment.

Overcoming Barriers to AI Adoption

Policy Alignment

India needs a unified policy framework to guide AI integration into defence.

Enhanced Collaboration

Strengthening partnerships with private players and fostering international cooperation will accelerate AI adoption.

Promoting Interoperability

Breaking inter-service silos will enhance joint operational capabilities of our military system in India.

Conclusion & Road Ahead

India has made notable progress in integrating AI into its defence systems but still it faces challenges in data availability, policy clarity and resource allocation. A cohesive strategy with robust frameworks and collaborative initiatives is crucial for India to position itself as a leader in military AI while maintaining ethical standards.

India has made notable progress in integrating AI into its defense systems, but challenges like data availability, policy clarity and resource allocation persist. A clear, unified strategy with strong frameworks and collaboration is essential for India to lead in military AI while maintaining ethical standards.

A human-machine teaming approach is key to harnessing AI's potential in military operations while managing risks. This model combines human judgment with AI to achieve optimal results supporting operators rather than replacing them.

While AI enhances decision-making, situational awareness and targeting precision, ethical concerns and over-reliance must be addressed. By adopting this approach and setting ethical guidelines AI can be used responsibly and effectively in modern warfare.