Archive · 27 Sep 2026
India’s Military Says AI Will Transform Every Battlefield Function
India’s military leader says artificial intelligence will change many parts of warfare.
It could help with planning, supplies, intelligence and making decisions faster.
The military is working to connect data from its three services.
AI is already being used in some intelligence tasks.
The armed forces also want AI to work near soldiers on the battlefield, not only at central offices.
However, AI will suggest choices rather than make final decisions for commanders.
The military is concerned that AI could be attacked, misused or used by opponents against India.
It plans to use safety rules and develop its own AI systems to reduce these risks.
Chief of Defence Staff General NS Raja Subramani said AI will transform battlefield planning, logistics, decision-support and intelligence.
India’s three armed services are improving data-sharing and have begun using AI for open-source and predictive intelligence.
The military is working with the national AI mission, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, private companies and the Defence Research and Development Organisation.
General Subramani said AI should provide commanders with options, but must not make decisions on their behalf.
The armed forces are developing guardrails, sovereign AI systems and small language models to address cyberattacks, data poisoning and hostile use of AI.
- Who
- Chief of Defence Staff General NS Raja Subramani and India’s armed forces.
- What
- India’s military is expanding its use of artificial intelligence while developing safeguards against its risks.
- When
- Sunday, at the NDTV Defence Summit 2026.
- Where
- At the NDTV Defence Summit 2026 in India.
- Why
- AI can improve planning, logistics, intelligence, productivity and decision-support, but it also creates cyber, security and control risks.
AI as a Military Opportunity
AI as a Military Challenge
Role in warfare
AI as a Military Opportunity
AI can improve planning, logistics, intelligence, productivity and battlefield decision-support, and no force can afford to ignore its advantages.
AI as a Military Challenge
AI could overstep its intended role, be used to attack India’s cyber networks or help opponents breach defences.
Decision-making
AI as a Military Opportunity
AI can provide commanders with multiple options and courses of action, helping them act more efficiently.
AI as a Military Challenge
The final decision must remain with the commander rather than being delegated to an AI system.
Technology control
AI as a Military Opportunity
India’s armed forces are working with government agencies, private-sector companies and the Defence Research and Development Organisation to expand AI capabilities.
AI as a Military Challenge
The military says it must use guardrails, avoid poisoned systems and develop sovereign AI to reduce dependence and protect against hostile interference.
- Military leader
- Chief of Defence Staff General NS Raja Subramani
- AI applications
- Planning, logistics, decision-support, intelligence, open-source intelligence and predictive intelligence
- Key requirements
- Compute, data, networks and skilled personnel
- Data integration
- The three services are working to correct data schemas and enable information sharing
- Human control
- AI will offer commanders options, while commanders retain decision-making authority
- Risk controls
- The military plans to use guardrails, protect systems from poisoning and detect cyberattacks
- Domestic development
- The armed forces are working on sovereign AI systems and small language models suited to India’s context