AI Integration in India’s Defence Sector

Context: India is modernizing its military with a defence budget of ₹6.21 lakh crore ($75 billion) in 2023, focusing on AI integration.

Progress in Military AI Integration

• Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has highlighted AI’s revolutionary potential in military operations, such as predictive analytics and autonomous decision-making systems.
• India participates in international AI initiatives, indicating a strategic focus on military AI development.
• AI applications like the Indrajaal autonomous drone security system have been developed.
• Microsoft has committed $3 billion to build data centres in Telangana, showcasing international investment in India’s AI ecosystem.

Check Here: India’s AI Mission

Hurdles in AI Deployment

• Infrastructure and Financial Constraints: Lack of digitized data to train AI systems.
  • High costs of AI-compatible data centres.
  • Limited resources due to the focus on replacing outdated legacy systems like older aircraft.
• Policy Gaps:
  • National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence: Outlines India’s vision but lacks detailed implementation mechanisms.
  • Responsible AI for All: Emphasizes transparency and accountability but falls short on military-specific AI recommendations.
• Fragmented Governance: Bodies like the Defence Artificial Intelligence Council (DAIC) and Defence AI Project Agency (DAIPA) aim to address gaps but lack visible progress.
• India’s Strategic Clarity Is Inconsistent: While AI is acknowledged as critical, leaders express concerns about its potential risks.
  • The External Affairs Minister compared AI’s dangers to nuclear weapons.
  • Prime Minister Modi warned of AI’s “darker sides” during the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) in 2023.

Other Challenges

• Siloed Armed Forces: Separate doctrines, systems, and communication practices among the Army, Navy, and Air Force hinder interoperability and joint operations.
• Reliance on Public Sector Units (PSUs): Defence manufacturing has historically been PSU-dominated, despite the rise of capable private companies and startups.

Strategic Recommendations for AI Adoption

• Strengthen Policies and Frameworks: Implement robust guidelines for AI deployment and regulation.
• Tackle Inter-Service Silos: Foster interoperability across the armed forces.
• Promote Private Sector Involvement: Need for public-private partnerships (PPPs) to ensure large-scale, high-quality system deployment.
  • Example: The space sector’s transformation through PPPs serves as a model.
• Collaborate Internationally: Enhance global partnerships for technological advancements.

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