India’s AI Advantage in Recent Conflict with Pakistan
During a four-day military conflict that began on May 6-7, India’s armed forces successfully utilized advanced technologies to counter Pakistan’s aerial attacks. The Indian military’s integration of ‘space know-how’, electronics, and computing expertise using artificial intelligence (AI) played a crucial role in thwarting the neighboring country’s attacks and striking multiple military installations.
AI for Situational Awareness
The Indian armed forces employed AI cloud-based integrated air command and control systems to detect and position hostile objects in the sky. Defence sources revealed that these advanced systems enabled the military to demonstrate its capability to detect enemy objects, track them, and strategically position assets to neutralize the threat from land, sea, and air.
Development of AI Capabilities
India’s use of AI in military operations has its roots in initiatives started over half a decade ago. In 2018, the Ministry of Defence established a multi-stakeholder task force to study the strategic implications of AI from a national security perspective. This led to the creation of the Defence AI Council and Defence AI Project Agency, which guided the development of an operating framework and structural support for AI adoption in the armed forces.
By 2022, the government had finalised a roadmap for defence public sector companies, approving 70 defence-specific AI projects, of which 40 were completed. As of 2022, each defence service was allocated Rs 100 crore for AI implementation. Bharat Electronics Limited developed an AI-based system for enemy aircraft activity recognition and classification, enhancing situational awareness for the armed forces.
Key AI Implementations
- The Indian Air Force’s Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) integrates data from all air defence assets to provide comprehensive situational awareness during air operations.
- The Indian Army developed an AI-Based Intercept Management System to analyse and automate intercepts of adversaries, generating accurate intelligence pictures.
- The Centre for Artificial Intelligence & Robotics developed an Air Defence Control and Reporting System to detect aerial targets and neutralise threats effectively.
These technological advancements and strategic implementations underscore India’s growing capabilities in leveraging AI for military operations, providing a significant edge in regional conflicts.
