Policy Update
Mohd Asif
Overview
The rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has profound implications for national security and defense. Recognizing this, the Department of Defence Production, Government of India, constituted a Task Force in February 2018 under the leadership of Shri N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons, to examine the strategic implications of AI in defense applications. Based on the recommendations of the Task Force, a structured AI roadmap has been formulated for Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), facilitating the development and deployment of AI-driven products and technologies relevant to defense platforms, with dedicated financial allocations.
As of recent assessments, a total of 106 AI-enabled projects have been identified, of which 40 AI-based products have been successfully developed and integrated into various defense applications.On July 11, 2022, Hon’ble Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurated the inaugural Artificial Intelligence in Defence (AIDef) symposium and exhibition in New Delhi, organized by the Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence, serving as a platform to showcase AI-driven solutions developed by the Services, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), DPSUs, private enterprises, startups, and innovators. During the symposium, 75 newly developed AI-based products and technologies, covering domains such as automation, unmanned and robotic systems, cybersecurity, human behavior analysis, intelligent monitoring, logistics, speech and voice analysis, and advanced Command, Control, Communication, Computer & Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems, were formally launched.
Moreover, a publication documenting significant advancements and achievements in AI-driven defense technologies was unveiled at the event, underscoring India’s commitment to fostering indigenous technological capabilities and strengthening self-reliance in defense innovation.
Beyond conventional defense applications, India is actively exploring AI solutions for enhancing underwater domain awareness and border security. Concurrently, efforts are underway to integrate AI into the civilian space program, which could yield indirect defense applications. While AI’s role in decision-making related to the lethal use of force remains a subject of debate, government officials have largely dismissed the possibility of its application in this context.
The role of AI in counter-terrorism has been increasingly emphasized in India’s security strategy. The Union Minister of Home Affairs, Shri Amit Shah, has highlighted AI’s potential in supporting terrorism-related investigations and prosecutions. At an AI summit held in New Delhi in December 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed the importance of preventing the misuse of AI technology by terrorist organizations, reinforcing the government’s commitment to ethical AI deployment in national security.
India’s AI strategy extends beyond security and defense to encompass broader economic objectives. In the near term, the government is prioritizing support for domestic AI industries to enhance their global competitiveness. A key focus of this strategy is leveraging the private sector’s extensive AI workforce and dual-use technological capabilities, both in defense and in the broader digital economy. As part of its vision for economic growth, the government aims to increase the digital economy’s contribution to GDP from 11% to 22% by 2026, with AI playing a pivotal role in this transformation.
India’s strategic focus on AI in defense and national security underscores a broader vision of technological self-reliance and innovation. Through institutional initiatives, targeted investments, and policy frameworks, the government aims to harness AI’s potential to enhance security capabilities while simultaneously fostering economic growth. Moving forward, continued engagement with private industry, adherence to ethical AI principles, and sustained investments in R&D will be critical to ensuring India’s leadership in AI-driven defense innovations.
AI as a Force Multiplier
India’s defense strategists perceive China and Pakistan as potential rivals utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to gain supremacy in military and economic domains. China, with its advanced AI-driven research and substantial technological investments, is viewed as the primary challenge, particularly in embedding AI within its command structures, reconnaissance operations, and combat systems. Although Pakistan lags in technological advancements, it is anticipated to procure AI-powered weaponry from China, including precision-guided munitions, unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs), and sophisticated cybersecurity capabilities.
China’s military transformation is unfolding in three phases—mechanization, digitalization, and intelligent warfare—where AI significantly strengthens early warning mechanisms, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and electronic combat strategies. The rise of AI-enhanced cyber conflicts presents a formidable concern, as it enables self-evolving malware, falsified digital imagery for misinformation, and refined electronic warfare (EW) techniques such as signal interception, emission analysis, and threat classification. Moreover, India remains apprehensive about the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), which is on track to becoming the global leader in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) manufacturing.
This shifting security landscape largely dictates India’s approach to AI-driven military modernization. In reaction to Pakistan’s deployment of the Burraq UAV in 2015, India introduced the Rustom-II medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) combat drone, reflecting an ongoing cycle of strategic countermeasures in AI-based defense technologies across the region.
India’s Cutting-Edge UAV and Military Robotics Revolution
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is collaborating with Israel to manufacture Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), prioritizing compact UAVs for engaging enemy aircraft, disrupting defenses, and executing strategic operations. These UAVs will incorporate Directed-Energy Weapon (DEW) technology. Experts also highlight the need for specialized antennas to jam enemy drones by disrupting communication channels. Notably, Rustom II, modeled after the American Predator drone, and AURA (Ghatak), a stealth Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV), are key indigenous projects.
The Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR), a DRDO subdivision, is advancing robotic military applications, integrating AI-powered algorithms with neural networks. DRDO is developing autonomous robotic units with artificial muscles and lightweight materials for enhanced mobility, designed to operate 20-30 km beyond headquarters. Civilian engineers propose quadrupedal and hexapedal robots for border security, capable of terrain navigation, surveillance, and data transmission.
DRDO has previously developed a robotic ordnance-handling system, and researchers suggest integrating solar panels for extended operational endurance. In April 2013, the Integrated Defence Staff Headquarters formulated the Technology Perspective and Capability Roadmap to guide AI-integrated defense developments over 15 years, with a strong focus on maritime combat readiness. The plan includes autonomous UAVs equipped with precision-guided weapons, airborne torpedoes with loitering and self-detection capabilities, and smart mines to counter enemy naval threats.
Obstacles Hindering India’s AI
India’s pursuit of AI-driven defense modernization faces several structural and strategic challenges that hinder its progress toward self-reliance. A major impediment is the country’s continued dependence on foreign nations for advanced military technologies, which delays the development of an indigenous AI-based defense ecosystem.
Despite efforts to bolster domestic capabilities, indigenous innovation remains insufficient, with research and production in AI-powered weaponry requiring significant technological advancements. The lack of effective collaboration among key stakeholders, including the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), private enterprises, and research institutions, further constraints innovation and slows technological progress. Unlike countries such as China, India has yet to fully integrate private technology firms and startups into defense research and development, limiting competition and restricting the inflow of cutting-edge innovations into the sector.
Financial constraints also pose a significant hurdle. While dedicated allocations exist, sustaining long-term investment is crucial to scaling AI innovations in defense. Ensuring optimal resource distribution and prioritizing key AI-driven projects remain challenges that require strategic planning and consistent funding. Moreover, ethical and legal concerns regarding AI applications in military operations complicate its deployment, particularly in decision-making processes involving lethal force. The development of AI-driven weaponry must align with international ethical frameworks and legal norms to mitigate the risks of autonomous weapons misuse.
Cybersecurity vulnerabilities present another critical issue, as AI-powered defense systems are susceptible to cyber threats such as hacking, adversarial AI attacks, and data manipulation. Strengthening cybersecurity measures is essential to protect sensitive military technologies from potential breaches. Furthermore, India faces intense geopolitical and strategic competition, particularly from China and Pakistan, both of which are advancing their AI capabilities in defense. To maintain technological superiority, India must continuously innovate while fostering international collaborations to accelerate advancements in AI-driven military technologies.
Way Forward
To enhance its AI-powered defense capabilities, India must adopt a strategic and well-integrated approach. While the current model of importing advanced military technology and engaging in licensed domestic production remains a necessary step, the long-term goal should be to establish a robust indigenous defense ecosystem. Strengthening domestic research, innovation, and production capabilities will be critical in achieving self-reliance in defense manufacturing.
A key measure would be fostering stronger collaboration between the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and private enterprises, akin to China’s model of integrating firms like Alibaba and Baidu into defense research and development. Encouraging Indian technology firms and startups to participate in AI-based weapon system development through incentives, joint ventures, and policy support will accelerate technological advancements.
Resolving the long-standing disconnect between key stakeholders—scientists, civilian administrators, and the armed forces—is imperative. A structured mechanism for continuous engagement between DRDO and the military must be institutionalized to ensure that design and development align with operational needs. Addressing budgetary constraints through efficient resource allocation and phased development plans can also improve the feasibility of producing state-of-the-art weaponry.
To avoid delays and ensure that India’s defense systems remain technologically relevant, a centralized defense innovation council should be established to oversee research, production, and deployment timelines. This council should integrate scientists, engineers, policymakers, and private sector leaders, ensuring synchronized efforts towards AI-enabled defense solutions.
By adopting a holistic and coordinated approach, India can bridge the existing gaps in its defense procurement and production processes. A well-defined roadmap with clear responsibilities, technological foresight, and streamlined execution will be crucial in transforming India into a global leader in AI-driven military capabilities.
References
About the contributor– MOHD ASIF is a research intern at IMPRI. He Studied peace and conflict studies from Jamia Millia Islamia New Delhi.
Acknowledgement– The author would like to thank Dr. Arjun Kumar, and Mallika who helped throughout this article and reviewed the same.
Disclaimer: All views expressed in the article belong solely to the author and not necessarily to the organisation.
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